The number of migrants arriving in the UK via the Channel has hit a record high in the first six months of 2024, with 12,901 individuals making the crossing, surpassing previous years’ figures. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who pledged to ‘stop the boats,’ has faced criticism as arrivals continue to increase.
Record Number of Migrants Cross Channel to UK in First Half of 2024
The number of migrants arriving in the UK via the Channel has reached a new record for the first six months of 2024. As per Home Office data, 257 individuals made the crossing in four boats on Sunday, bringing the provisional total for the year to 12,901. This surpasses the previous records of 12,747 in the first half of 2022 and 11,433 in 2023.
This 2024 figure is 17% higher than the same period last year (11,058) and 8% more than 2022 (11,975). Last year saw a total of 29,437 arrivals, a 36% decrease from the 45,774 recorded in 2022.
Since the general election was called on May 22, 3,019 migrants have arrived, making immigration a focal point in the campaign. The ongoing migration crisis has resulted in 127,246 Channel crossings since 2018, with 82,265 journeys since an April 2022 deal to send migrants to Rwanda was struck.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who took office in October 2022 with a pledge to “stop the boats,” has seen nearly 50,000 arrivals during his tenure.