People smugglers have capitalized on foggy conditions to continue facilitating small boat crossings across the English Channel. Despite the poor weather, migrants have been arriving in the UK,

with the Dungeness lifeboat seen bringing individuals into Dover after reportedly rescuing them from the Channel.

These arrivals mark a continuation of crossings during the festive period, with small boats making the journey on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and December 27—an unprecedented streak since records began in 2018.

According to official government data, 305 people arrived in the UK via small boats on Friday alone, pushing the weekly total to 1,163. On December 26, 407 arrivals were recorded, tipping the cumulative total since January 1, 2018, past the 150,000 mark.

The surge in crossings has reignited political tensions. A Home Office source criticized the previous administration for its "broken border security," while Conservative shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blamed Labour for dismantling the Rwanda deportation scheme.

Philp stated, "In 2023, the Conservatives managed to reduce Channel crossings by a third. However, Labour's policy decisions, such as abandoning the Rwanda deterrent, have reversed that progress. These numbers reflect Labour’s inability to tackle illegal migration and are an affront to the British public."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized international collaboration with European law enforcement to disrupt smuggling networks. During his election campaign, Starmer pledged to "smash the gangs" responsible for illegal crossings.

Since Starmer took office in July, 22,629 people have crossed the Channel, representing a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2023 but a 31% decrease from the peak year of 2022. So far in 2024, 36,204 migrants have arrived via small boats, up 23% from last year but down 21% from 2022.

A Home Office spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the crisis, stating, "We are determined to end dangerous small boat crossings, which not only threaten lives but undermine border security. Smugglers exploit vulnerable people without regard for their safety, focusing solely on profit. We will continue dismantling these criminal networks and holding those responsible to account." Photo by John M, Wikimedia commons.