Home Secretary Cannot Promise Reduction in Channel Crossings by Next Year
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has admitted there is no guarantee that the number of small boat crossings in the English Channel will decrease by this time next year. During a tense session with the Home Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Ms Mahmood acknowledged the situation remains "unacceptable" but emphasised there is no quick fix to the complex issue.
Soaring Numbers Since Starmer's Premiership
Official figures reveal a stark reality: more than 65,000 migrants have arrived in the UK via small boat crossings since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister. The statistics show a concerning upward trend, with 41,472 crossings recorded in 2025 compared to 36,816 in 2024 – representing a 13% increase year-on-year.
The issue was brought into sharp focus this week when migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel for the first time in thirteen days on Monday, highlighting the persistent nature of the crossings despite government efforts.
"Fiendishly Difficult Problem" Without Easy Solutions
Pressed by Liberal Democrat MP Ben Maguire about when she expected crossing numbers to decrease, Ms Mahmood responded with candour: "Those numbers are obviously not where I want to be either. This is an issue of deep concern in my own constituency and my city as well."
The Birmingham Ladywood MP described the challenge as "a fiendishly difficult problem to resolve" that requires "long-term, careful, painful work" rather than any single solution. She explicitly stated: "There is no 'silver bullet'" for the immigration issue that has dominated political discourse for years.
Legislative Changes and International Cooperation
The government continues its multi-pronged approach to tackling the crisis, focusing on several key areas:
- People smuggling crackdown: Ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal gangs facilitating crossings
- International agreements: Sir Keir Starmer recently negotiated a deal with Chinese authorities during his visit to prevent boat motors manufactured in China from reaching people smugglers
- Advertising restrictions: A Home Office crackdown on adverts advising migrants how to circumvent immigration checks came into force earlier this week
- Legal reforms: Planned changes to appeal systems and interpretation of human rights legislation
Human Rights Act Reinterpretation Plans
Ms Mahmood revealed specific legislative intentions that will take time to implement: "We will legislate at the earliest opportunity to change the appeal system, to further restrict the way that Article 8 of the Human Rights Act is interpreted."
The UK is among several nations advocating for reinterpretation of key human rights protections, particularly:
- Article 3: Protection against inhuman or degrading treatment
- Article 8: Right to respect for private and family life
Both articles have historically been used to prevent the removal of individuals without legal status in the UK to their countries of origin. The government believes adjusting their interpretation is crucial to managing migration flows more effectively.
Asylum Backlog Complicates Response
The challenge is compounded by a substantial asylum backlog numbering in the tens of thousands, creating additional pressure on an already strained system. Ms Mahmood's testimony underscores the government's recognition that resolving the small boats crisis involves addressing multiple interconnected issues simultaneously, from border security to legal frameworks and international cooperation.
As the Home Secretary concluded: "There is a whole range of legislative changes that we have announced, which we are working at pace to draft and get right before we pass them in a Bill – that all necessarily does take some time." Her frank assessment suggests the public should prepare for continued challenges in Channel migration management throughout the coming year.
