UK Small Boat Arrivals Pass 200,000

The number of migrants arriving in the UK across the English Channel in small boats has passed 200,000, according to the latest Home Office figures.

The Home Office has recorded small boat arrivals since 2018. The milestone was passed after 70 people crossed the Channel on Friday, bringing the total to 200,013, Sky News reported.

In 2025, British authorities recorded about 41,000 arrivals by small boat, a 13% increase from the previous year. The figure remained below the record of about 46,000 set in 2022.

The average number of people per boat has also risen sharply. In 2018, there were seven people per boat on average. By 2025, the figure had risen to 62.

Channel crossings remain extremely dangerous. At least 162 people died attempting to cross the Channel between 2018 and 2025. British authorities recorded 24 fatalities last year, down from 73 the year before.

British governments have sought for years to curb illegal migration, including through cooperation with France and tighter asylum rules. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government signed a new three-year, €765m, about $825m, agreement with France after taking office to strengthen coastal patrols. It has also announced reforms to the asylum system and easier deportations of failed applicants.

(max)