Sir Keir Starmer has been cautioned about an alarming trend: small boat crossings across the Channel could hit record levels this year, as new arrivals have already pushed the 2026 total past 2,000.
In a compelling interview with GB News, human rights lawyer David Haigh emphasised the urgency of the situation, asserting that this year’s figures are on track to be “record-breaking.”
Recent footage from GB News vividly illustrated the plight of migrants being brought ashore at the Port of Ramsgate in Kent after perilous Channel crossings on Wednesday. Reports indicate that at least ten boats departed from northern French beaches, allegedly orchestrated by criminal smuggling networks.
With these confirmed arrivals on Wednesday, the 2026 total for crossings will exceed 2,000, surpassing numbers recorded at the same point in 2024 and 2025. This surge in crossings is likely to intensify political pressure on the Government to take decisive action regarding border control and asylum processing.
Ministers have reiterated their commitment to reducing small boat crossings through international collaboration, targeted enforcement against smuggling operations, and meaningful reforms to the asylum system. However, opposition parties argue for stronger deterrents, while human rights organisations stress the need to expand safe and legal pathways to address the complex challenges facing both policymakers and the public.
In recent years, cross-Channel migration has remained a pivotal political issue, with annual totals fluctuating due to weather, enforcement efforts, and global displacement trends.
Upcoming official figures from the Home Office will be crucial, underscoring the need for reliable data to inform responsible decision-making by all stakeholders. The Government’s silence on whether current trends suggest a lasting increase or simply seasonal variation raises concerns about the adequacy of its response to this pressing issue.
Haigh told GB News: “The numbers are going to go up and up until we’re able to get a full grip of the situation and actually put in effective policies and plans that will change this, and that hasn’t happened yet.
“And I think you’re going to see a record-breaking year in terms of those coming across, and it’s just going to get worse, and that’s a real, real travesty.”
Ellie Costello asked what Starmer needs to do to resolve the crisis, he said: “It’s very difficult, it’s always an impossible problem, but I think now with the Government in the situation they’re in, policies and procedures, there’s so many things that you can do.
“But let’s say, for instance, one area processing staff, speeding up the process of those coming across the Channel. Some people have been in asylum claims for up to ten years in my experience, which is absurd. So better quality people and faster processing so you get less mistakes, less appeals, that will bring it down.”
Haigh said unless the government “changes our laws or leaves the ECHR”, the situation will not improve.
The Human Rights Lawyer warned: “The government has said they’re not going to come out the ECHR to try and change those laws, but they haven’t made any real progress of changing those laws, so that’s not going to change it either.
“Unless you actually change our laws or leave, we’re going to have a problem in deporting people, and that’s not going to go away.”
In a statement, a Home Office spokesman said: “This Government is bearing down on small boat crossings. We have stopped 40,000 crossing attempts since this Government came into office through our joint work with the French.
“We have removed or deported almost 60,000 people who were here illegally. Our pilot deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.
“The Home Secretary has also announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times, removing the incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and scaling up the return of those with no right to be here.”
