Why are so many migrants still crossing the Channel?

The number of people crossing the English Channel to claim asylum in small boats has reached a record high.

- SEAN O'GRADY

More than ever - some 25,000 - have made the journey since the beginning of the year. If this continues, we will see the highest annual total since records began in 2018. A year ago, Labour pledged to “smash the gangs” and to “turn the page and restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly and fairly”. There has been some progress but it’s fair to say that many feel impatient.

Is it really that many?

Yes and no. The 25,000 or so who’ve arrived on the south coast so far this year mean that the number is up by 51 per cent on this point in 2024 (16,842) and 73 per cent higher than at the same point in 2023 (14,732). So the country is well on course to exceed the figure of 37,000 who arrived by these irregular means last year, and the 46,000 in 2021, the prior record.

On the other hand, it is far lower than the number of migrants arriving on a visa, entirely lawfully – some 431,000 net (938,000 gross, both figures including students) – and has to be set in the context of the UK’s total population of 69 million. The number of irregular migrants last year was equal to the population of Guildford.

On balance, it is still the case that migration of all kinds into the UK has been running at historically high levels for some years.

Why so high?

In terms of the big picture, on total migration, it is simply that the UK suffers from chronic labour and skills shortages – there aren’t sufficient young people to replace retirees, so that means there are not enough workers. In addition, there are not enough with the right skills and in locations where demand is high, while those who do have the skills required are not always willing to do the jobs that are available at current wage rates.