More than 900 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Friday, marking one of the busiest days of the year for irregular arrivals to the UK.
According to figures released by the Home Office, 919 individuals made the perilous journey aboard 14 vessels, bringing the total number of Channel crossings in 2025 to over 16,000. This represents a 42% increase compared to the same period last year and a staggering 79% rise from this point in 2023.
While significant, Friday’s figure does not surpass the record daily total for the year, which was recorded on 31 May when 1,195 migrants arrived on UK shores.
A Home Office spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to halting these dangerous crossings, noting, “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.”
Official data shows that nearly 37,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats throughout 2024, with the highest recent annual figure standing at 45,755 in 2022. The Channel remains one of the most hazardous and congested maritime routes in the world.
Many of those arriving originate from regions suffering conflict, instability and economic hardship. Upon interception by British authorities, a significant number seek asylum in the UK.
The Home Office condemned the criminal networks orchestrating the crossings, stating, “The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die as long as they pay, and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”
The surge in Channel crossings continues to place pressure on the UK government’s migration policies, which have become a major political and public concern. Efforts to reduce illegal arrivals and reform the asylum system remain central to the government’s immigration strategy.
