More than 16,000 migrants have arrived in the UK since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister, new figures released by the Home Office have shown.
Since January 1st, the most recent figures show that 29,589 migrants have arrived on some 555 small boats.
In 2023, the figure from January 1, to December 31, was 29,437 on a total of 602 boats.
In 2022, a total of 1,100 boats made it across the Channel carrying some 45,755 people – which was the highest number of migrants to make it across the Channel.
Last year alone, in November and December, some 2,738 people successfully crossed the Channel and made it to Britain.
So far in October, some 4,334 people have made it to Britain on small boats.
Since Sir Keir Starmer entered Downing Street on July 5, some 16,003 migrants have arrived in the UK on 284 small boats.
That is an average of 141.6 people arriving on 2.5 boats a day since he visited King Charles to form a government.
In contrast, Rishi Sunak saw 50,645 under his watch which worked out as 81.9 people per day on an average of 1.7 boats.
Liz Truss’ brief tenure in Downing Street saw 10,000 migrants arrive in little more than 40 days – the highest average in history.
People smuggling gangs have been increasing the average number of people being carried on death trap
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.
‘The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.’
Last week, a baby died after the boat they were being carried on sunk shortly after leaving the French coast.
The French maritime prefecture for the English Channel and the North Sea said another 65 migrants were rescued after the incident off the coast of Wissant in the Pas-de-Calais region.
Those rescued were taken back to the port at Boulogne-sur-Mer.
A French navy patrol boat and a helicopter were used in the rescue and recovery operation.
The baby was found unconscious following the incident and later declared dead.
Authorities said searches are ongoing to find any more missing people.
An investigation has been launched by the public prosecutor’s office in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The baby’s death is the 45th to be reported by the French coastguards so far this year.
Following the death, Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: ‘We are heartbroken that a baby has died in yet another devastating and depressingly preventable tragedy in the Channel.
‘People who make the crossing are fleeing war, conflict and persecution and simply want to be safe.
‘As our analysis shows, these crossings are getting ever deadlier, with the total number of deaths this year being greater than the previous three years combined.
‘This procession of death and tragedy shows we need to rethink our approach. Lives will continue to be lost if we carry on as it is.
‘The Government should adopt a more multi-pronged strategy to tackle these life-threatening journeys.
‘Seeking to disrupt the smuggling gangs alone will never be enough: Government must also provide safe and legal routes for refugees, as well as meaningful collaboration with European partners.’
