Blow For Starmer As Small Boat Crossings Reached Embarrassing High In 2025
2025 saw the second highest number of small boat crossings on record, according to the Home Office.
The government has revealed 41,472 people arrived in the UK by coming across the English Channel in 2025, despite Keir Starmer’s promises to cut down on irregular migration.
That’s second only to 2022′s record when 45,774 people came to the UK.
Crossings were on track to be at an all time high earlier this year but the rate slowed down during November and December, pushing 2025′s numbers into second place.
Immigration has become a major sore spot for the government after the prime minister fought the 2024 general election on the promise that he would “smash the gangs” which bring across migrants.
He also negotiated a “one-in, one-out”deal with France last year to discourage further crossings.
But the lack of impact is a gift to his political opponents who have called for more extreme measures, like withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, to crack down on crossings.
Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp has called for the UK to leave the ECHR, adding that there “is no deterrent” right now and “Labour lack the backbone to confront that truth”.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Starmer’s efforts have been a “complete disaster” and claimed “many of the young men that have arrived last year will do us great harm”.
Meanwhile, chief executive of the Refugee Council, Enver Solomon, said: “Most men, women and children taking these journeys have fled oppressive regimes like the Taliban in Afghanistan and brutal civil wars in countries like Sudan.
“No one risks their life on a flimsy boat in the Channel except out of desperation to be safe in a country where they have family or community connections.
“It’s right the government wants to stop Channel crossings, but plans that will punish people found to be refugees are unfair and not an effective deterrent.”
A Home Office spokesperson said the rising numbers were “shameful” adding that British people “deserve better”.
But they added: “This government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.
“The home secretary has announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in decades, removing the incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and scaling up the return of those with no right to be here.”
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act last month menat to “rapidly disrupt the people-smuggling gangs”.