Record Number of Migrants Cross the English Channel in a Single Day
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, a record number of 882 migrants crossed the English Channel to the UK, marking the highest single-day total since November 2022. The Home Office reported that the crossings occurred in 15 boats, contributing to a provisional total of 12,313 arrivals for the year, an 18% increase compared to this time last year.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has prioritized addressing the "small boats crisis," faces political pressure with these new figures. Sunak has emphasized that his government has made progress, with overall numbers over the past year down, yet insists that a deterrent system is essential to fully resolve the issue.
In contrast, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has critiqued the Conservative approach, with Labour pledging to cancel the Conservative Party's stalled plan to send migrants to Rwanda and instead invest in border security.
The events come ahead of a general election where immigration remains a pivotal issue. Last year saw a reduction in migrant arrivals to the UK, with a total of 29,437, a 36% decrease from 2022's record of 45,774.
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