Increase in UK Channel Crossings: A 25% Rise in 2024
The number of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel into the United Kingdom witnessed a significant increase in 2024, surging by 25% compared to the previous year. Official statistics from the interior ministry indicate that a total of 36,816 crossings were recorded in 2024, up from 29,437 in 2023. However, this figure remains below the peak of 45,774 crossings observed in 2022.
Tragically, 2024 also marked the deadliest year for such crossings, with at least 76 fatalities reported. French authorities noted that over 5,800 rescue operations were conducted at sea and an estimated 870 crossing attempts were thwarted.
The rise in crossings has placed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government under intense scrutiny as it seeks to address the ongoing migration challenge. The report highlights that individuals from Vietnam, Iran, and Syria have contributed significantly to the increase in numbers, with Afghan nationals representing the largest demographic of arrivals during the first nine months of the previous year.
In parallel, the UK has seen net legal migration reach historic highs, with estimates suggesting approximately 728,000 legal migrants entered the country in the year leading up to June 2024. The Migration Observatory at Oxford University reported that around 29,000 individuals were returned to their countries of origin between January and early December 2024. This figure marks a 25% rise from the previous year and is the highest return rate since 2017.
In response to the escalating situation, the Labour government has revisited its immigration strategies since taking office in July. The administration has abandoned a controversial plan initiated by the preceding Conservative government, which involved sending irregular migrants to Rwanda. Instead, the focus has shifted to tackling human trafficking networks that facilitate these dangerous crossings.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the government's moral obligation to address the issue of Channel crossings. The government has pledged to dismantle smuggling operations, foster international collaboration, and treat traffickers as a significant global security threat.
New initiatives introduced by the Labour administration include the establishment of a Border Security Command and the negotiation of treaties with European partners, encompassing agencies such as Europol. Nevertheless, experts caution that it is premature to evaluate the effectiveness of these new measures.
As the Labour government touts its achievements in increasing the rate of return for irregular migrants, it faces growing pressure amid rising support for the Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage.
