More than 100,000 people have arrived in the UK by small boat since Suella Braverman's flagship legislation to end Channel crossings received royal assent, according to the latest figures. The former Home Secretary, now a key figure in Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, stood in the House of Commons in 2023 and vowed to stop the boats by pushing through the Illegal Migration Act. However, analysis by The Mirror reveals that this week the milestone was reached despite her promise.
Landmark Figure Reached
Since the Illegal Migration Act became law on July 20, 2023, a total of 100,673 people have made the dangerous journey across the English Channel to reach the UK. At the time, Braverman declared: "This government, this Prime Minister, will act now to stop the boats." The figure represents more than half of the approximately 200,000 individuals who have arrived by small boat since 2018. Braverman pushed for the legislation after her predecessor Priti Patel's Nationalities and Borders Act failed to curb the crossings.
Political Reaction
Labour MP Luke Charters criticised Braverman's record, stating: "This is Suella Braverman's small boats crisis. Her time as Tory Home Secretary was a masterclass in performative cruelty, but a total failure otherwise. The irony of right-wing parties ramping up rhetoric, despite their own MPs once being responsible for this, shows they are more interested in scapegoats than solutions." A Labour source added: "Reform recruits Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman were all at sea over small boat arrivals. Their total failures in government left an almighty mess for Labour. But now they want the public to forget. They've got a brass neck. This Home Secretary is doing the hard yards to tackle these crossings. Jenrick and Braverman are yet to apologise. That's the contrast."
Background of the Illegal Migration Act
Introducing the Illegal Migration Bill to MPs in March 2023, Braverman—who defected to Reform in January—said: "Two months ago, the Prime Minister made a promise to the British people. He said anyone entering this country illegally will be detained and swiftly removed. No half measures. The Illegal Migration Bill will fulfil that promise." The legislation barred individuals who arrived by small boat after March 7, 2023, from claiming asylum in the UK, leading to a drop in Home Office decision-making as thousands remained in hotels. Between March 7, 2023, and the general election on July 4, 2024, 39,861 people arrived by small boat, including 28,649 after the Act passed.
Labour's Response
Jo White, chair of Labour's Red Wall Caucus, commented: "Labour inherited a failed system, where people smuggling gangs were transporting people into this country on a rapid basis. The highest number that arrived in a single month was 8,631 in August 2022. This same year was also when the highest recorded number arrived, when over 45,000 people landed on our shores. Conservatives like Chris Philp would prefer that we forget that they were in charge at that time. In the 18 months since Labour took control, over 60,000 people have been returned. It is also important to know that 105 major smuggling gangs have been disrupted. The French have also confirmed that over 42,000 crossings have been blocked by them."
Shortly after the general election, then-Home Secretary Yvette Cooper lifted the ban on small boat arrivals claiming asylum, arguing it had simply allowed a huge backlog to build up. Labour's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, passed in December 2024, repealed sections of Braverman's legislation. Current Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned that the Government must address small boat crossings or risk Reform dismantling the asylum system entirely. She has introduced measures including 30-month reviews of refugee status, meaning those granted protection could be removed if their home country is deemed safe.
Current Measures
The Government is consulting on ways to speed up the removal of families with children whose asylum claims are refused. Last month, a new agreement with France was announced, with hundreds more French police set to patrol beaches to prevent crossings. A new detention centre will be established in Dunkirk to send intercepted migrants back to their home countries. The Mirror has contacted Braverman's office for comment. Earlier this week, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf told The Express: "Reform will not just stop the invasion, but reverse it. We will detain and deport all illegal migrants in Britain, and do what is necessary to finally restore law and order."
Safe Routes Call
Mahmood has vowed to introduce more safe routes, a move campaigners deem critical. Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, told The Mirror: "In recent years, refugees have been pushed towards taking dangerous journeys in small boats, and many have sadly lost their lives. Each death in the Channel is a tragedy that may have been avoided if more safe and legal routes were available for people to reach sanctuary in the UK."
