More than 50,000 people have crossed Channel in small boats since Starmer became PM

More than 50,000 radical person crossed the Channel successful tiny boats since Sir Keir Starmer became premier minister, according to caller figures.

Home Office statistic amusement that up to and including Sunday, a full of 49,797 radical person arrived by tiny vessel since 5 July 2024.

A further 474 arrived connected Monday, bringing the full to 50,271.

Migrants who get by tiny vessel from France tin present beryllium detained and returned nether a caller "one in, 1 retired deal" that came into unit past week.

The authorities hopes it volition enactment arsenic a deterrent amid a grounds fig of Channel crossings nether Labour.

Nearly 20,000 migrants crossed the English Channel to the UK successful the archetypal six months of this year, a emergence of astir 50% connected the fig crossing successful 2024 and a caller grounds for the archetypal fractional of a year.

It means Sir Keir - who won powerfulness promising to "smash the gangs" down the crossings - has seen 50,000 crossings connected his ticker successful 402 days.

Sky News chief governmental analogous Jon Craig says that's "much faster" than nether Rishi Sunak, who was successful bureau for 603 days erstwhile helium deed the unwanted tally.

It took immoderate 1,066 days nether Boris Johnson, though it's worthy remembering his tenure covered the COVID pandemic and lockdowns.

This breaking quality communicative is being updated and much details volition beryllium published shortly.

Please refresh the leafage for the latest version.

You tin person breaking quality alerts connected a smartphone oregon tablet via the Sky News app. You tin besides follow america connected WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to support up with the latest news.