The Ministry of the Interior reported that the total number of migrants crossing the English Channel from France to the UK in June, July, and August—the summer months when such crossings usually increase—fell to its lowest level in seven years.
Subsequent British governments have attempted to curb the rise in migrant crossings in small boats, which has become a highly sensitive issue for voters since this phenomenon emerged around 2018.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood stated: 'We will demonstrate unwavering determination to uncover the criminal networks behind these crossings and continue to address the factors that drive people onto these dangerous and illegal routes.'
According to the British news agency PA, 102 small vessels crossed the English Channel between June and August, the lowest figure since 2019 when there were 57. The total number of migrants who made the crossing in small boats during this period was 7,371 people, according to data from the French news agency AFP, based on official statistics.
London signed a new three-year agreement with Paris in April regarding these crossings, committing to pay up to 766 million euros to strengthen the security forces of French services.
Despite the decrease in small boat crossings, there has been a record flow of migrants traveling in overcrowded vessels in recent months. In August, a record number of 230 migrants crossed the English Channel on one large inflatable barge, beating the previous record of 165 registered in July.
French President Emmanuel Macron plans a trip to the UK this week, and the issue of migration crossings is among the topics he will need to discuss with the new UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.