The UK government is introducing a tough new measure targeting online advertisements that promote illegal small boat crossings and people-smuggling routes across the English Channel.
Under a proposed amendment to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, offenders who create or publish content encouraging breaches of immigration law could face up to five years in prison.
The new UK-wide offence aims to crack down on criminal gangs using social media platforms to advertise unlawful migration services.
This includes offering passage via small boats, creating fake travel documents such as passports and visas, and promoting illegal job opportunities within the UK.
Although facilitating illegal migration is already a criminal offence, the government argues that this new law will give law enforcement agencies an additional tool to disrupt these criminal networks at an earlier stage, particularly when they publicise their activities online.
Around 80% of migrants arriving in the UK via small boats are reported to have used social media during their journey to find or communicate with smugglers, according to Home Office data.
Anyone found guilty under the new offence could receive a maximum prison sentence of five years and a financial penalty.
The announcement comes as the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats reaches record levels. On a single day, 898 migrants arrived in 13 boats, bringing the total for 2025 to over 25,000, the fastest this figure has ever been reached since official records began in 2018. This represents a 51% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 73% rise compared to 2023.
The government says the measure is part of its wider strategy to boost border security and strengthen law enforcement powers. Officials also stress the importance of staying ahead of the changing tactics of people-smuggling gangs, especially as they increasingly rely on online tools to reach vulnerable individuals.
The National Crime Agency confirms that criminal networks frequently use social media to market dangerous Channel crossings and other illegal services. In response, authorities are working closely with online platforms to remove such content and target the accounts responsible.
Despite recent efforts, including a new UK-France deal based on a “one in, one out” return policy, crossings have continued at high levels. The growing numbers pose a significant challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration, which has made tackling illegal migration a core promise.
With public concern rising and Reform UK gaining ground in opinion polls, the issue remains politically sensitive. The latest figures may increase pressure on the government to deliver tangible results in curbing unlawful Channel crossings and disrupting the criminal networks behind them.
