More than 50,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats since Sir Keir Starmer became prime minister, according to new figures.
Home Office statistics reveal that 474 people arrived on Monday, the highest number to make the journey in one day in August.
It brings the total to 50,271 since the general election in July 2024.
It means Sir Keir – who won power promising to “smash the gangs” behind the crossings – has seen 50,000 crossings on his watch in 402 days.
By comparison Rishi Sunak was in office for 603 days when he hit the unwanted tally.
It took some 1,066 days under Boris Johnson, though it’s worth remembering his tenure covered the COVID pandemic and lockdowns.
Migrants who arrive by small boat from France can now be detained and returned under a new “one in, one out deal” that came into force last week.
The government hopes it will act as a deterrent amid a record number of Channel crossings under Labour.
Nearly 20,000 migrants crossed the English Channel to the UK in the first six months of this year, a rise of almost 50% on the number crossing in 2024 and a new record for the first half of a year.
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