Key Takeaways
- Over 41,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025, the second-highest number on record.
- The government has said the number of small boat crossings is "shameful" and that they are taking action to address the issue.
- The Home Office has removed almost 50,000 people who were in the UK illegally and has negotiated a "one-in, one-out" returns deal with France.
- The government is introducing new reforms to tackle illegal migration, including temporary refugee status and longer waits for permanent settlement.
- Critics argue that the government’s plans are unfair and ineffective, and that they do not address the root causes of migration.
Introduction to the Issue
The number of people crossing the Channel in small boats has reached alarming levels, with over 41,000 individuals making the journey in 2025. This figure is the second-highest on record, after 45,774 people made the crossing in 2022. The government has described the situation as "shameful" and has vowed to take action to address the issue. The Home Office has stated that they are committed to reducing the number of small boat crossings and have introduced several measures to achieve this goal.
Government Response
The government has taken several steps to address the issue of small boat crossings. They have removed almost 50,000 people who were in the UK illegally and have negotiated a "one-in, one-out" returns deal with France. This deal is intended to act as a disincentive to people attempting to cross the Channel, as it allows for the return of individuals who have arrived in the UK via small boat. The Home Office has also announced plans to introduce new reforms to tackle illegal migration, including temporary refugee status and longer waits for permanent settlement. These reforms are intended to remove the incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and to make it easier to deport those who have no right to be in the country.
Criticism of Government Plans
However, not everyone is convinced that the government’s plans are effective or fair. Critics argue that the plans are punitive and do not address the root causes of migration. Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, has stated that most people who make the journey across the Channel are fleeing oppressive regimes or brutal civil wars, and that they are desperate to find safety in a country where they have family or community connections. He has argued that plans to punish people who are found to be refugees are unfair and will not serve as an effective deterrent. Instead, he believes that the government should focus on providing safe and legal routes for people to claim asylum, rather than trying to deter them from making the journey.
Political Debate
The issue of small boat crossings has become a highly politicized debate, with different parties and politicians having differing views on how to address the issue. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has described the government’s plans as a "complete disaster" and a "farce", and has claimed that many of the young men who have arrived in the UK via small boat will "do us great harm". The Conservatives have also been critical of the government’s approach, with Chris Philp, the Conservative shadow home secretary, arguing that pulling out of the European convention on human rights (ECHR) is the only way to reduce the number of small boat crossings. However, others have argued that this approach is not only ineffective but also unethical, as it would involve withdrawing from a key human rights treaty.
New Legislation and Powers
The government is also counting on new legislation to help tackle the issue of small boat crossings. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, which became law in December, introduces new criminal offences and allows law enforcement agencies to use counterterror-style powers to crack down on people-smuggling gangs. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has also announced plans to introduce "the most significant changes to our asylum system in modern times", including temporary refugee status and longer waits for permanent settlement. These changes are intended to make it easier to deport people who have no right to be in the UK and to deter others from making the journey.
Conclusion
The issue of small boat crossings is a complex and highly politicized one, with different parties and politicians having differing views on how to address the issue. While the government has introduced several measures to reduce the number of small boat crossings, critics argue that these plans are unfair and ineffective. As the debate continues, it is clear that there is no easy solution to this issue, and that a comprehensive and compassionate approach is needed to address the root causes of migration and to provide safe and legal routes for people to claim asylum.