UK Channel Migrant Crossings Exceed 10,000 Since Andy Burnham Became Prime Minister

Inflatable boat carrying migrants,  Public domain | Jihad Watch

More than 10,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, raising fresh concerns about the government’s ability to control irregular migration. According to the latest Home Office figures, 1,670 people made the dangerous crossing between Thursday and Sunday, bringing the total number of arrivals during his premiership to 10,136.

The latest surge ended a three-week period without recorded arrivals. A total of 263 migrants reached the UK on Thursday, followed by 671 on Friday and 259 on Saturday. On Sunday, another 477 people arrived in seven boats, marking a significant increase in Channel crossings over the four-day period.

The figures put the daily average under Burnham at approximately 96.5 arrivals. This is higher than the recorded averages during the premierships of Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson and Theresa May. However, it remains slightly below the average recorded under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during whose tenure 77,183 migrants arrived at an average of 103.5 per day.

The rising numbers have renewed scrutiny of the government's immigration policies and its efforts to prevent dangerous crossings. The latest developments also come as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood prepares to introduce revised immigration rules.

Her proposals, which initially included making low-skilled foreign workers wait significantly longer before becoming eligible for settled status in Britain, have reportedly undergone substantial changes following opposition from the Labour Party's left wing. The revisions have raised questions about the government's ability to maintain a consistent immigration policy while addressing disagreements within its own party.

With Channel crossings continuing to pose a major political and administrative challenge, the government faces growing pressure to strengthen border management, discourage dangerous journeys and establish a more effective long-term approach to immigration.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)