Politics

Channel Migrant Surge Sparks Tense Talks and Tough Crackdowns as UK Passes 20,000 Crossings Earlier Than Ever

Published on July 7, 2025

The number of people crossing the Channel in small boats has surged past 20,000 for the year — and we’re only in July. That’s the earliest this milestone has ever been hit, and it’s piling pressure on both the UK and France to come up with fresh answers as record numbers of asylum seekers make the dangerous journey.

The latest Home Office figures show that 517 people arrived on Friday alone, making the crossing in just eight small boats. That follows a packed week, with 879 arriving on Monday, 440 on Tuesday, and 178 on Wednesday. There were no recorded crossings on Thursday, but the week’s total still pushed well beyond 2,000.

So far in 2025, Channel crossings are up a staggering 56 percent compared to this time last year, according to PA news agency data. The situation is prompting urgent discussions between the UK and French governments, with a summit expected next week aimed at hammering out a new strategy.

Among the ideas reportedly on the table is a “one-in, one-out” asylum system where both countries would agree to accept selected asylum seekers from the other side. Another proposal would see French police given more power to act while boats are still onshore, with some suggesting they could intercept vessels up to 300 metres from the beach, rather than waiting until lives are in danger.

But there’s a price tag. According to The i Paper, France is expected to push for even more UK taxpayer funding to help stop the boats before they launch — especially now that smugglers are sending them off from shallower points, making it harder for police to step in early.

Experts blame the spike in crossings on a combination of factors: better weather, new smuggler tactics, growing global unrest, and the loss of post-Brexit data-sharing agreements with the EU.

The BBC even captured a rare moment on Friday, showing French police slashing an inflatable boat packed with people before it could set off. It’s not something that happens often, with officers typically restricted from stepping in once boats are afloat. Downing Street called the move a “significant moment”, saying it was a sign of a tougher stance from French authorities.

“We welcome action from French law enforcement,” said a government spokesperson, “and what you have seen in recent weeks is a toughening of their approach.”

But not everyone is on board. Care4Calais, a charity supporting migrants in northern France, condemned the boat-slashing as “shameful”, warning it puts lives at risk — especially those of children.

In the UK, the government is tightening up on the ground too. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered a national immigration crackdown, with officers now targeting areas where asylum seekers are suspected of working illegally, particularly in the gig economy.

It follows claims by Conservative MP Chris Philp, who said he found evidence of such activity during a visit to a hotel housing asylum seekers. The Home Office responded by vowing that those “flagrantly abusing the system” could have their state support cut off.

Big delivery platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat have promised to boost identity and fraud checks in response.

Meanwhile, businesses found hiring undocumented workers could be hit with massive fines — up to £60,000 per person — along with director bans or even jail time. Asylum seekers are generally banned from working while their claim is in progress, unless they’ve been waiting over a year and have received special permission.

As the summer rolls on and the numbers keep climbing, both sides of the Channel face mounting pressure to act — but what those actions will look like remains to be seen.

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