Small boat crossings across the Channel have decreased by 43% from January to mid-July 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The number of crossings fell from 21,690 last year to 12,469 this year.
However, since Andy Burnham came to power on July 20, there has been a small increase in crossings compared to the same period last year. Between July 20 and August 2, 2025, 1,962 people crossed the Channel, while over 2,000 have crossed during the same period this year.
Government initiatives aimed at disrupting people smuggling operations in northern France are believed to have had an impact. Despite this, smugglers have adapted their methods, with boat launches now occurring from locations further afield, including Belgium and Dieppe.
In the year ending March 2026, asylum claims saw a 12% reduction, with 93,525 people claiming asylum. Of these, 42% (38,980) arrived by small boats, with others already in the UK on visas or arriving via lorries or shipping containers.
The UK government has agreed to pay France an additional £660 million to help reduce the number of asylum seekers crossing the Channel. This funding includes plans for a riot squad to manage and disperse individuals attempting to board small boats.