Small boat migrants outnumber Dover population since 2018

Shocking Numbers

The number of small boat migrants arriving in Britain since 2018 has surpassed the population of Dover, with a total of 116,577 people arriving on dinghies, according to Home Office statistics.

Political Response

Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister, Stephen Kinnock, criticized the Conservative government for allowing criminal smuggling gangs to thrive along the coast, costing the country billions and compromising border security.

Government Action

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to stop small boat migrants, but his plan to deport many to Rwanda has faced legal challenges and parliamentary scrutiny. Despite this, the government maintains that it is already taking action to combat criminal gangs.

Opposition Stance

Sir Keir Starmer has proposed cracking down on criminal gangs to stem the tide of small boat migrants, while criticizing the government's deportation plan. The Government, in turn, accuses Labour of being weak on border control.

Decrease in Crossings

The Home Office reports that crossings have decreased due to crackdowns on criminal gangs, resulting in a 36% reduction in crossings last year despite a surge in numbers in the Mediterranean. Over 26,000 attempted crossings were prevented.