Migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel for a second day since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.
Crossings continue in calm weather
Crossings continued on Thursday during warm, sunny weather and calm conditions at sea. Pictures from Dover show men and women wearing life jackets being brought ashore at the Kent port.
The UK coastguard said that Border Force vessels, a UK coastguard aeroplane along with RNLI Dungeness lifeboat responded to “small boats activity” in the Channel on Thursday morning.
Wednesday's crossings end hiatus
Some 172 people made the journey in three boats on Wednesday, bringing to an end an 11-day hiatus when wind swept the Channel, and making these the first crossings since the former Greater Manchester mayor became Prime Minister.
Press Association analysis of government data shows 77,183 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel during Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership, after Labour’s election victory in July 2024.
According to Home Office figures, 12,641 arrivals have been recorded this year. This is 46% lower than the number recorded by this time last year and down 20% on the same period in 2024.
The Home Office will confirm how many people made the journey on Thursday in data published on Friday.
Afghan man jailed for steering dinghy
Meanwhile, an Afghan man who steered an overcrowded dinghy in the Channel for two hours was jailed on Thursday for two years for endangering others. Basir Ramatullah, also known as Baseer Ahmad, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to endangering others during a sea crossing on May 2. The offence came into force in January as part of new border security legislation.
