United Kingdom: Over 10,000 individuals travelled in small boats across the English Channel In 2024. The Home Office reported 288 migrants crossed in five small boats on Friday, bringing the total to 10,170. On June 17, 2023, the 10,000 milestone was attained. According to the Home Office, the figures demonstrate the significance of implementing its Rwanda strategy.
Following the Rwandan plan, some asylum applicants would be sent to the African nation for processing. Throughout 2023, 29,437 migrants—roughly one-third fewer than the number for the previous year—arrived on the Kent coast from France in tiny boats. Since recent records began in 2018, the current figure is more than the first five months of any other year. On May 1, when the usually calmer seas began, 711 people arrived, making it the largest single day of crossings.
“Stop the boats” was one of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s five major promises made last year. He reaffirmed on Thursday that no flights from Rwanda would depart before to the general election scheduled for July 4. Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of Labour, has sworn to abandon the plan and appoint specialized detectives to handle tiny boat crossings.
A Home Office spokesperson said that, “The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible.
“We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys. Last year they stopped 26,000 people from reaching our shores.”
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