More than 50,000 people have arrived in the UK via small boats across the Channel since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister 403 days ago, vowing to 'smash the gangs' behind the crossings. Despite scrapping the previous government's Rwanda plan and the 'stop the boats' slogan, the number of crossings has continued to rise.
The smuggling gangs continue to profit from the desperation of migrants, while Reform UK's popularity grows amid campaigns to close hotels housing asylum seekers. Claimants await decisions on whether they can live and work in the UK.
Six key reasons have been identified for the sustained increase in Channel crossings, though specific details were not provided in the source material. The situation remains a significant challenge for the government's immigration policy.
