More than 700 migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday after lull

More than 700 migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday, according to the latest figures from the Home Office, after a four-week pause in small boat crossings.

The arrival of 737 migrants on 11 boats in Dover marked the end of the crisis. longest time without small boat crossings in seven years.

This brings the total number of people who have crossed the Channel so far this year to 40,029. 2024, there were 36,816 people all year round.

The last recorded arrivals before Saturday were on November 14, the longest continuous period since 2018.

December is generally a quieter month for transits due to adverse weather conditions, which is thought to contribute to the lull.

In recent months the UK government has stepped up efforts to tackle small craft crossings, but the measures are not expected to have an immediate impact.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy met ministers from other European countries last week to discuss reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights that would make it easier to deport illegal immigrants.

In November, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced changes to asylum, which included making refugee status in the UK temporary and subject to review every 30 months.

The changes would also include sending refugees home if their country is deemed safe.

The UK government’s “one in, one out” deal with France began in August and as of 27 November 2025, 153 people had been repatriated through the scheme.

A Home Office spokesman has previously said the “number of small boat crossings is disgraceful and the British public deserve better”.

“This government is taking action,” they added. “We have removed around 50,000 people who were here illegally and our historic agreement with the French means those who arrived in small boats are now being sent back.”