Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged that the government will be "relentless" in its efforts to curb the number of people arriving in the UK on small boats. Speaking in Dover, Burnham stated that significant progress has been made and the government is fundamentally changing its approach to tackling illegal migration.

The Prime Minister's comments come amidst renewed political focus on the UK's immigration policies, particularly following a recent surge in migrants crossing into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. Burnham highlighted that the swift return of 98% of individuals who reached Ceuta to Morocco demonstrated an effective way to address immediate issues.

Burnham announced that the number of enforcement officers dedicated to dismantling people-smuggling gangs has been doubled on both sides of the Channel. He noted that the National Crime Agency (NCA) officers tackling these gangs have increased to nearly 800, up from 376 at the start of 2025, with a similar increase in French officers.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to not only control borders but also to establish safe routes for those genuinely in need of protection. This dual approach, he believes, will undermine the business model of criminal gangs facilitating dangerous Channel crossings.

Data reveals that between January 1 and July 29, 2026, a total of 14,128 people crossed the English Channel by small boat, a 42% decrease compared to the same period the previous year. Since 2020, these crossings have become the primary method for illegal entry into the UK, with nearly all arrivals claiming asylum, which legally allows them to remain in the country during the assessment of their applications.

In the period from April 2025 to March 2026, small boat arrivals constituted 42% of all asylum applications. The average number of people per boat arriving in the UK between July 30, 2025, and July 29, 2026, was 67, more than double the figure in 2021, increasing the risks associated with these crossings, as experts have warned.

According to United Nations figures, at least 84 people died attempting to cross the Channel in 2024. While significant, these arrivals represent approximately 5% of the total immigration into the UK between January and December 2025. The government has committed to dismantling the gangs responsible for these crossings as a key strategy to reduce numbers.

Analysis of arrivals indicates that Eritrean nationals accounted for 18% of all arrivals between April 2025 and March 2026. Furthermore, Home Office data from January to December 2025 identified at least 2,000 individuals arriving by small boat as potential victims of human trafficking or modern slavery.