Migrant Small Boat Channel Crossings in 2025 Reach Second Highest Ever
In 2025, 41,472 migrants arrived in the UK via small boats, marking the second-highest annual total on record. The last recorded crossing took place on 22 December, with no crossings reported on New Year’s Eve.
This total represents a 9% decrease from the peak of 45,774 crossings in 2022, but is 13% higher than in 2024 (36,816) and 41% higher than in 2023 (29,437). The first half of 2025 alone saw 19,982 arrivals, setting a record for that period.
The average number of people per small boat increased to 62 in 2025, up from 53 in 2024 and 49 in 2023.
Since July 2024, when Labour came into government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, nearly 65,000 migrants have arrived via small boats. Starmer pledged to "smash the gangs" and curb crossings.
France agreed to start intercepting boats in the Channel as part of an ongoing returns deal with the UK, which has been in effect since August 2024. As of 16 December, 193 migrants have been sent back to France under this agreement, with 195 arriving in the UK from France.
In December 2025, the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act became law, introducing new offences and counter-terrorism-style powers targeting people-smuggling gangs. The government also proposes asylum reforms, including a system of temporary refugee status with regular reviews and a 20-year wait for permanent settlement.
