Migrant Crossings of English Channel Fell by Over a Third in 2023

Despite the Decline, Border Force Officials Warn of Potential Rise in 2024

The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats fell by more than a third in 2023, marking the first decline since current record-keeping began, according to the UK government.
The total arrivals in 2023 were down more than a third on 2022, with almost 30,000 crossings, compared to the record 45,774 crossings for 2022.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made 'stop the boats' one of his top priorities, and is seeking to revive a plan to send those who arrive illegally in Britain to Rwanda after it was blocked by the courts.
The government cleared a backlog of 92,000 asylum cases by the end of 2023, processing over 112,000 cases with a 67% grant rate.
Despite the decrease in 2023, the union representing Border Force officials warns that the number of people arriving in Britain in small boats is expected to rise again in 2024.