The number of migrants crossing the Channel falls by a third compared with last year, figures show

• The total number so far this year was 26,605 compared with 39,883 last year

Small-boat arrivals of migrants are down by a third compared with last year, latest figures show.

In what the Home Office described as ‘good progress’, the number of Channel landings so far this year was 26,605 compared with 39,883 at the same point in 2022.

It means the running total – up to Monday – was down 33 per cent on last year.

The year-on-year percentage figures can fluctuate significantly, however, depending on the pattern of arrivals – meaning there is a possibility ground could be lost during the rest of this year.

A Home Office source said: ‘It’s good progress but there’s a long way to go.

In what the Home Office described as ‘good progress’, the number of Channel landings so far this year was 26,605 compared with 39,883 at the same point in 2022 (File Photo of group thought to be migrants crossing the Channel in August)

‘We haven’t yet stopped the boats but that is the Home Secretary’s key priority.’

The figures do not include an unconfirmed number of arrivals at Dover yesterday.

October last year saw 6,900 migrants reach British shores from northern France. But this October saw just 1,775, not including yesterday’s unconfirmed figure which was thought to be around 100 and will not materially affect the 33 per cent fall.

Last week immigration minister Robert Jenrick moved to ‘dispel the myth’ put about by Labour that the fall in numbers was down to poor weather in the Channel.

He told MPs: ‘The weather conditions this year were more favourable to small boat crossings than 2022, and yet we’ve still seen a marked decrease.’ Previously, sources told the Mail that Home Office analysis showed an ‘increasingly clearer picture that it’s down to reduced demand’ for illegal crossings.

Tough-talking by ministers, the threat of the Rwanda asylum deal and a returns agreement with Albania have all contributed to the fall, ministers believe.

Last year saw six days when more than 1,000 migrants reached Britain, including a record 1,305 on September 3 that year, according to revised Home Office figures.

So far this year the highest daily tally was 872 on September 2.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman is awaiting the results of her appeal in the Supreme Court over the Rwanda asylum scheme.

Last year saw six days when more than 1,000 migrants reached Britain, including a record 1,305 on September 3 that year, according to revised Home Office figures (File Photo of group thought to be migrants crossing the Channel in August)

Home Secretary Suella Braverman is awaiting the results of her appeal in the Supreme Court over the Rwanda asylum scheme

Court of Appeal judges declared the programme unlawful on human rights grounds in a ruling in June.

The Supreme Court is deciding whether to overrule that decision, which would allow removals to finally begin.

Last month Home Office sources indicated growing pessimism over the chances of a victory in the courts, saying a loss was ’60-40 against a win’.

In the event of the Rwanda deal being abandoned, there would be growing pressure on Rishi Sunak to pledge to take Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Yesterday TUES saw the first group of migrants were brought into Dover, Kent, aboard a Border Force vessel before daybreak after being intercepted at sea in the dark.

They could be seen removing their orange lifejackets at the former jetfoil terminal before being taken to a processing centre by officials.

Dozens more asylum seekers made the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Strait during the afternoon.

The mostly male group were escorted into the harbour on a Border Force vessel around midday.

Source: Read Full Article