Almost 400 migrants were brought into Dover after crossing the English Channel on Tuesday, the Home Office has confirmed. A total of 394 people arrived in Kent on 11 boats, including babies wrapped in blankets, while a further 467 were intercepted by French authorities attempting to make the journey.
Crossings have taken place amid warm weather and calm seas. This month, 2,354 people have arrived via small boats, almost three times as many as in March last year. Several children were among those brought ashore on Tuesday.
On Monday, 213 people were rescued on six boats and brought to shore. Last Tuesday, 405 people made the crossing in what is thought to be the highest daily total so far in 2022. The number of attempts typically increases during warmer and calmer weather.
Minister for Tackling Illegal Migration Tom Pursglove called the rise “unacceptable”, saying it impacts UK taxpayers, risks lives, and undermines the UK’s ability to help refugees arriving via legal routes. He said the government is cracking down on people smugglers through the Nationality and Borders Bill, which would make it a criminal offence to knowingly enter the UK illegally.
The government has faced a series of defeats in the House of Lords over the bill, which has attracted criticism and protests.
