Record-breaking 20,000 small boat migrants reach Britain this year, as scores queue up in France to cross the Channel

Daily Mail​

a day ago

More than 20,000 small boat migrants have reached Britain since the start of the year, in a damning indictment of Labour 's record on controlling our borders.
At least 800 migrants arrived in Dover yesterday from northern France, followed by hundreds more so far today, according to early indications.
On top of a confirmed 19,103 arrivals up to Sunday, it means this year's tally is thought to have already hit 20,000.
The same milestone was not hit until mid-to-late August in previous years, including 2022 - the year which went on to see a record annual total of 45,700 arrivals.
Although official figures are still awaited from the Home Office, the total for the first half of this year is thought to be up a massive 48 per cent on the same period last year.
It comes a year after Labour took power and scrapped the Conservatives ' Rwanda asylum deal, which was designed to deter migrants from mounting the perilous Channel crossing.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'One year into Labour's government and the boats haven't stopped - they've multiplied.
'Labour tore up our deterrent and replaced it with fantasy.
'This is the worst year on record, and it's become a free-for-all.
'We need a removals deterrent so every single illegal immigrant who arrives is removed to a location outside Europe. The crossings will then rapidly stop.'
He added: 'People are furious - and rightly so.
'Under new leadership, only the Conservatives have a credible plan to stop the crossings, restore control, and end the chaos.'
The Tories predicted this year's annual total could go on to break records and hit 50,000.
Labour pledged to 'smash the gangs' by placing a new emphasis on law enforcement tactics.
But arrivals are rocketing and the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels at the taxpayers' expense has gone up since the election, despite a Labour pledge to end their use.
Accommodation costs are expected to hit more than £15billion over 10 years - triple the original estimate - the National Audit Office said in May.
The overall cost of the asylum system was £5.3billion in 2023-24, more than double the amount spent in 2021-22.
Yesterday migrants were photographed brazenly posing for selfies aboard an overloaded dinghy bound for Britain.
And one expert warned that new powers due to come into force this month allowing French police to stop migrant boats in the water will have a negligible impact on illegal migration.
Lucy Moreton, of the ISU trade union which represents Border Force staff, said migrants may simply switch to other modes of transport such as yachts and concealing themselves in the back of HGVs.
President Emmanuel Macron's government has finally agreed to change its rules so gendarmes and other officials can intercept dinghies already in the Channel, and prevent them heading for Britain.
Ms Moreton said: 'I don't think stopping the boats in the water will have any meaningful impact on the number of people entering the UK illegally.
'We have been working on the border for 10 years monitoring migration and the one thing we've learned in that time is when one route closes, another opens.'
People traffickers have begun using 'taxi boats' which cruise along the French beaches, collecting waiting groups of migrants, in a bid to evade police.
This tactic could finally be addressed once French officials are allowed to stop boats in the water – which is likely to come into force in the next few weeks.
The new 'maritime doctrine' will allow French police to block small boat departures within 300 metres of the shoreline.
However, French police unions are understood to have concerns their members may be required to enter the water wearing 'Kevlar' body armour, which can weigh up to 6lbs and would put them at risk of drowning.
Last month sources said French officers had also raised concerns about being unable to carry firearms if they are required to go into the sea, because salt water would damage the weapons.
French police colonel Olivier Alary told the BBC earlier this month his teams 'will be able to do more' once the 300 metre rule comes into force.
Labour is also poised to announce a 'migrant swap' deal with France, but the impact it will have remains unclear.
It is expected to allow Channel migrants who reach Britain to be returned to France in 'one for one' exchanges for others who have a more convincing asylum case, such as those with relatives already in the UK, or those from war zones.
Last week the borders watchdog has said he was 'not convinced' Labour's plan to 'smash the gangs' will end the Channel crisis, and predicted ministers will fail to end use of asylum hotels by end of this Parliament.
Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration David Bolt said he had written to ministers to express his doubts about the plan.
Illegal migration will be one of the key topics addressed by the PM with Mr Macron next week during his State visit to the UK.