Since Andy Burnham became prime minister on 20 July, more than 2,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats, with 326 arriving on Saturday and the total reaching 2,057. The provisional year-to-date total is 14,526 — down 43% on the same point last year and 14% below 2024. Ministers credit new measures, including a Franco‑British enforcement deal, with reducing attempts and increasing removals, while warning more action is needed.
Over 2,000 Small-Boat Channel Crossings Since Burnham Took Office — Year-To-Date Figures Down
FILE PHOTO - People thought to be migrants are brought back by French authorities to the beach in Hardelot, after attempting to board a small boat to attempt to cross the English Channel. (is associated with: «Number crossing in small boats tops 2,000 since Burnham became UK PM») Gareth Fuller/PA Wire/dpa
More than 2,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats since Andy Burnham became British prime minister on 20 July, official figures show.
The latest update reports 326 migrants arrived on Saturday in four separate boats, bringing the total to 2,057 crossings since Mr Burnham succeeded Keir Starmer.
Wednesday was the busiest day for small-boat arrivals this year, when 752 migrants reached the UK. The provisional year-to-date total now stands at 14,526.
How This Compares
That year-to-date figure is 43% lower than the total recorded at the same point last year (25,436) and 14% lower than the comparable period in 2024 (16,903). Officials say the decline reflects both operational changes and seasonal variation, with crossings tending to rise in warmer months.
Government Response
Prime Minister Burnham and the Home Office say a package of measures introduced to reduce Channel crossings is beginning to have an impact. On Friday, Mr Burnham said steps taken by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had "started to make a difference" and pointed to increased removals as a sign of progress.
"This government is bearing down on small boat crossings, with removals of small boat migrants at record levels and asylum claims down by 12%. The home secretary has signed a landmark new payment by results deal with France to boost enforcement action on beaches and put people smugglers behind bars," a Home Office spokesperson said.
The Home Office added that joint work with France has helped stop over 46,000 attempted crossings since the election, and that nearly 70,000 people who were in the UK illegally have been removed or deported — an increase of 41%.
Context And Caveats
Officials warn that small-boat activity fluctuates with weather conditions and typically peaks during warmer months, so single-day spikes — including very busy days such as the one in which 752 arrivals were reported — do not necessarily indicate a long-term trend by themselves.
While ministers point to falling year-on-year totals and rising removals, both acknowledge more work is required to sustain reductions and to disrupt people-smuggling networks.
Help us improve.
