Channel migrant arrivals hit 150k milestone

MORE than 150,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats since records began.

- Katie Harris

The milestone was reached after 407 people made the dangerous journey from France on Boxing Day and 451 arrived on Christmas Day.

It means 150,243 migrants have arrived in rubber dinghies since the start of 2018 the equivalent of a town the size of Blackpool.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said it was "an insult that Labour has allowed 858 illegal immigrants into the country on Christmas Day and Boxing Day".

Threat

He added: "By scrapping the Rwanda deterrent before it started, Labour has let us down.

"We saw removals deterrents work in Australia." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "This number is not only a disgrace but poses a genuine threat to national security." The Tories hit out at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for ditching the Rwanda deportation plan. More than 22,324 people have crossed the Channel since he entered 10 Downing Street in July. Conservative MP Neil O'Brien said Sir Keir promised he would smash the gangs but claimed "the reality is that the gangs are smashing him".