PM's migrant policy in turmoil as record 20k land in 6 months

SIR Keir Starmer’s pledge to “smash the criminal boat gangs” is in tatters after the number of migrants unlawfully crossing the Channel set a record in the first half of this year.

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

The figure will exceed 20,000 after 982 people arrived on Monday. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “One year into Labour's government and the small boats haven't stopped — they’ve multiplied.

“Labour tore up our deterrent and replaced it with fantasy. This is the worst year on record and it’s become a free-for-all.”

Official figures show 19,982 migrants arrived in the boats in the first six months of 2025, a huge increase on the 13,489 in the same period last year — which was also a record. It does not include people who made the crossing yesterday.

Blunder

Labour pledged to “smash the criminal boat gangs” in the run-up to last year’s general election and the Government says it is stepping up co-operation with the French authorities to stop vessels leaving.