As at 6 July, 21,117 migrants had crossed the Channel in small boats since the start of the year - a 56% increase on the same period in 2024. In 2024 as a whole, nearly 37,000 people were detected making the crossing - 25% more than in 2023.

LONDON—The U.K. and France struck a deal on Thursday to try to slow a record number of migrants crossing the English Channel in flimsy boats, as anti-immigrant populists in both countries lead in the polls.

Speaking from his golf course in Scotland, President Trump warned the Prime Minister that those coming across on dinghies are 'bad people'

The UK-France deal to tackle the small boat crisis is unlikely to stop Channel crossing attempts, a charity has warned. Sir Keir Starmer announced a one-in, one-out deal with French President Emmanuel Macron in a bid to return migrants who cross the Channel during a UK-France summit this month.

As the sun rises over the Channel, a new wave of uncertainty looms. Predictions suggest a surge in crossings, challenging the UK's efforts to manage borders.

Asylum seekers crossing the English Channel to the UK will be exchanged for migrants with British ties that have entered France.

French police have intensified efforts to stop migrants crossing the English Channel. Recent videos show officers slashing inflatable boats, forcing migrants into the water.

French authorities have been spotted handing migrants lifejackets instead of taking them back to the beach in France.

The French authorities are also considering allowing the police or coastguard to intervene in shallow waters to try to stop so-called taxi boats which pick migrants up from the beaches. But many people living temporarily in a makeshift camp in Dunkirk along the coast from Calais have told the BBC they were undeterred.

More 20,000 people arrived in the UK in the first half of this year by crossing the English Channel in small boats. That figure is up 48 percent on the first six months of 2024. The number is

Utopia 56 said it was doubtful Sir Keir Starmer's one-in-one-out deal with French president Emmanuel Macron would curb Channel crossings