Small boat crossings of the English Channel have resumed after a 13-day pause, the longest such gap in seven years, according to Home Office data. No migrants were recorded arriving in the UK between 14 November and 12 December, marking the longest uninterrupted period since autumn 2018.
On Saturday, a number of small boats were sighted in the Channel, ending the lull. Official figures for those arrivals are expected to be released later. December is typically one of the quietest months for crossings due to cold weather, poor visibility, and stormy conditions.
This year is on track to see the second-highest annual number of small boat arrivals since records began in 2018. The total for 2025 currently stands at 39,292, already exceeding all years except 2022, which saw a record 45,774 arrivals. To set a new record, 6,483 arrivals would be needed by the end of December.
The government has intensified efforts to deter crossings, including the recent Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, which grants law enforcement counterterror-style powers to target people-smuggling gangs. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has also met with European ministers to discuss reforming the European Convention on Human Rights to tackle illegal migration within existing legal frameworks.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced asylum reforms aimed at making refugee status temporary, subject to reviews every 30 months, and facilitating deportations to countries deemed safe. However, these measures are not expected to have an immediate impact on crossings until next year.
