Over 800 cross Channel in record December day
A record 803 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on December 20, 2025, marking a major surge. The total for the year now stands at 41,455. Read the full analysis.
Category : Search result: Channel boats
Over 41,000 cross Channel in small boats in 2025
More than 41,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in 2025 after 803 people made the journey in 13 dinghies this weekend. Read the latest figures and government response.
French Police to Intercept UK Migrant Boats
French authorities will begin intercepting small boats carrying migrants across the English Channel following a UK plea. The new strategy aims to tackle the dangerous crossings that have seen over 39,000 arrivals this year.
France to intercept migrant boats after UK pressure
French police will begin intercepting migrant 'taxi boats' at sea following pressure from the UK Government. Read the full story on the new Channel crossing strategy.
Bronze Age boats found in Cambridgeshire after 3,000 years
After a 13-year conservation, three Bronze Age log boats discovered near Whittlesey are set for public display at Flag Fen. Discover the secrets they reveal about ancient fenland life.
Bronze Age boats discovered in Cambridgeshire on display
Three Bronze Age log boats, preserved for over 3,000 years, will be displayed at Flag Fen Archaeology Park. Discover the story of these ancient vessels.
Ancient log boats discovered after 3,500 years in mud
Three rare Bronze and Iron Age log boats, preserved in mud for over 3,000 years, are now on public display at Flag Fen, revealing unique insights into prehistoric life and transport.
Iranian man returned to France after second boat crossing
An Iranian man who made his second dangerous small boat crossing of the English Channel has been returned to France under new UK-France returns agreement, raising questions about border policy effectiveness.
Channel crossings surge with 900 migrants in three days
New government figures reveal a significant increase in small boat crossings, with nearly 900 migrants reaching Kent in just three days amid ongoing policy challenges.
Starmer attacks government over Channel crossings crisis
Labour leader Keir Starmer launches scathing attack on government's handling of small boat crossings amid diplomatic tensions with France over new asylum policies.
Labour's Mahmood: Channel Crossings System Failing
Shadow Justice Secretary calls for immediate government action on small boat crossings, describing current approach as 'unacceptable' and demanding proper processing of asylum claims.
Channel migrant crossings surge despite Rwanda policy
Exclusive analysis reveals dramatic increase in small boat crossings despite government's Rwanda policy, with hundreds making the perilous journey in recent days.
Border Chief: No Quick Fix for Channel Migrant Crisis
Britain's Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt delivers sobering assessment that small boats crossing won't be solved rapidly, amid record Channel arrivals and ongoing policy challenges.
France cancels Channel crossings meeting with UK
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reveals French officials cancelled crucial Channel crossings meeting, raising questions about cross-Channel cooperation.
UK-France deal to tackle Channel migrant crossings
Britain's Home Secretary announces landmark agreement with France to intensify efforts against dangerous small boat crossings and people smuggling networks.
Labour's migrant returns scheme fails: 26 sent back, 10,000 arrived
Exclusive investigation reveals the staggering failure of Labour's flagship immigration policy, with fewer than 30 migrants returned despite thousands arriving, including 1,000 in a single day.
Home Office releases shocking migrant arrival footage
Exclusive Home Office video reveals staggering scale of migrant crossings as government faces mounting pressure over border security crisis
Cooper reveals plan to tackle Channel crossings
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announces comprehensive strategy to combat small boat crossings through enhanced European cooperation and intelligence sharing.
Labour exposes Tory failure on small boats crisis
Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood delivers blistering attack on Conservative failure to tackle small boats crisis, revealing stark reality behind government rhetoric.
People smugglers target West Country to evade Kent patrols
Exclusive police intelligence reveals human smugglers are redirecting small boat crossings to Devon and Cornwall coastlines as border enforcement intensifies along traditional Kent routes. Authorities warn of dangerous new patterns emerging in Channel cro
Starmer to chair COBRA meeting as small boats crisis escalates
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to chair an emergency COBRA meeting following Rishi Sunak's invitation, as both parties clash over small boats crossings ahead of the general election.
Brexit's role in Starmer's small boats crisis
Keir Starmer inherits a small boats crisis directly fuelled by Brexit's policy failures. Our analysis reveals how leaving the EU destroyed the returns agreement that previously kept Channel crossings manageable.
Starmer blames Brexit for Channel crossings surge
Sir Keir Starmer has ignited a political firestorm by directly linking Brexit to the escalating small boats crisis, while new polling reveals Nigel Farage's Reform UK gaining significant ground.
Starmer: Scrap Rwanda Scheme Now in PMQs Clash
Sir Keir Starmer launches blistering attack on Rishi Sunak's 'gimmick' Rwanda deportation plan during heated Prime Minister's Questions, calling for immediate action on small boat crossings.
Chinese firms sell boats to migrant smugglers via Amazon-style sites
Exclusive investigation reveals how Chinese e-commerce platforms are supplying migrant smugglers with large inflatable boats, fuelling the dangerous Channel crossings from Turkey to Europe.
Why Labour's Rwanda plan won't stop small boats
Exclusive: Zia Yusuf reveals why Labour's Rwanda plan won't solve the Channel crossing crisis and what government must do instead to tackle people smuggling.
French court blocks UK deportation, blow to Sunak's migrant plan
A French court has blocked the deportation of a migrant to the UK, challenging the British government's flagship asylum policy and exposing fresh tensions in the cross-Channel migration pact.
Tory MPs: Scrap 'small boats' term in Brexit immigration shift
Conservative MPs are urging the government to abandon the phrase 'small boats' in official communications, branding it a 'Remainer term' that undermines Brexit sovereignty pledges. The move signals a significant shift in the party's approach to immigratio
Lammy Demands UK-France Summit on Channel Crossings
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy calls for an immediate UK-France meeting to address the small boats crisis, criticising the government's approach as 'completely failing'.
Labour's small boats plan fails as crossings surge 22%
Exclusive: The new Labour government's returns agreement with Afghanistan has failed to stop small boat crossings, with arrivals surging over 20% in a week. Critics brand the plan an 'absolute farce' as the crisis deepens.
Page 1 of 4