Record Number of Migrants Cross Channel to UK Despite Measures

More than 41,000 migrants reached the UK in 2025 crossing the English Channel in small boats, a record number despite government measures. The total number of crossings for 2025 is expected to be released today by the British Home Office.

According to data, 41,472 people reached the English coast from January 1st to December 30th. This number is the highest since the 2022 record (45,774 arrivals). At least 29 migrants died in the Channel.

The increase in arrivals poses a challenge for the Labour government under Kir Starmer, which faces the rise of the anti-immigration party Reform UK led by Nigel Farage.

The government has announced measures to limit immigration and asylum, with applications exceeding 110,000. In the summer, Britain and France signed an agreement for the return of migrants to France, in exchange for the legal reception of migrants by London. So far, 153 people have returned to France and 134 have been received in Britain.

Undersecretary Alex Norris said the government is reforming the immigration system to facilitate the return of illegal migrants.