Migrants crossing English Channel to UK surged by 25% in 2024, new figures show
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of migrants arriving in the UK in 2024 after crossing the English Channel in small boats was up by a quarter on the previous year, figures show. open image in gallery Cumulative arrivals of migrants crossing the English Channel The change in government also meant former home secretary Suella Braverman never got to see her “dream” of sending migrants to Rwanda become reality, after the policy stalled amid legal action and was then ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. open image in gallery Migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats Ms Cooper said the UK must “go after” the gangs behind the dangerous crossings and appeared to rule out creating more safe and legal routes for asylum seekers as a way of curbing the number of attempts when facing questions from MPs. The Prime Minister previously said his Government “inherited a very bad position” with record numbers of migrants in the first half of last year “because the entire focus until we had the election was on a gimmick, the Rwanda gimmick, and not enough attention was on taking down the gangs that are running this vile trade”.