Why Channel crossings have risen Six key reasons

People seeking refuge People are trying to escape rapid climate change, famine, oppressive governments and war across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

- Rajeev Syal

In 2024, nearly half of those arriving in small boats were from Afghanistan, Syria and Iran, where there have been campaigns to oppress women and minorities, a savage civil war, and food shortages, respectively.

In the first three months of this year, people coming from Eritrea made up 20% of new arrivals for the first time. The Eritrean government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses while a famine threatens 1 million Eritreans - about one in five of the population - according to the World Food Programme.

They come to the UK despite the Channel becoming an increasingly dangerous route. In 2024, the UN's International Organization for Migration's missing migrants project recorded the highest number of deaths and missing persons in the Channel, with 82 people losing their lives, at least 14 of whom were children.