UK reports over one-third decrease in migrant crossings of English Channel

WEB DESK: In the latest government figures released on Monday, it has been revealed that approximately 29,437 migrants undertook the perilous journey across the English Channel to Britain from mainland Europe in small boats throughout 2023.

While this marks a significant annual decrease of over a third, it remains the second-highest yearly total since the publication of such statistics commenced in 2018.

These unauthorised arrivals on the southeast English coast continue to pose a substantial political challenge for the Conservative government.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who committed last year to “stop the boats” as one of his five key promises for 2023, may find the persistently high numbers impacting his bid for success in the upcoming general election scheduled for this year.

Sunak, addressing the issue last month, stated that there is no “firm date” for meeting his pledge. Despite this, he highlighted a notable 36 percent reduction in small-boat arrivals in the past year, a positive trend after a record 45,000 migrants made the journey in 2022.

The Conservative government attributes this decline to the success of its £480 million ($610 million) agreement with France, aimed at intensifying efforts to curb migrant crossings.

Additionally, fast-track return deals with countries such as Albania are believed to contribute to this positive change.

However, the Labour opposition, enjoying double-digit poll leads throughout Sunak’s nearly 15 months in power, asserts that the Prime Minister has failed to fulfil his promise, characterising the immigration policy as chaotic.

The ruling Conservatives initially aimed to discourage such crossings by preventing all migrants arriving without prior authorization from applying for asylum and considering sending some to Rwanda.

However, this policy has encountered a roadblock as the UK Supreme Court ruled the deportation to be illegal under international law.

The dangers associated with these cross-channel journeys on small inflatable vessels, often overloaded and unseaworthy, have been tragically highlighted in recent incidents.

In August, at least six men lost their lives and dozens more required rescue after a small vessel en route from France to the southeast English coast sank.

In November 2021, another tragic incident occurred, resulting in the drowning of at least 27 people when their dinghy capsized.

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