Understanding the rise in Channel crossings

Article

In the last five years, the number of people crossing the English Channel in small boats has risen sharply. The vast majority of those arriving claim asylum when they get to the UK.

These Channel crossings pose serious risks to the safety of those making the journey, and it can be deadly.

The UK government has responded to the rise in Channel crossings with a series of highly controversial and contested policy announcements. In this briefing paper, we aim to explore the reasons for the increase in small boat arrivals to help form a firmer basis for a humane and effective policy response.

This briefing draws on interviews with key experts and stakeholders – including those with lived experience of crossing the Channel in small boats – as well as analysis of Home Office data. It sets out some of the potential factors explaining the recent rise, gives an overview of the government's approach up till now and assesses its potential implications. It also sets out some potential ways forward, which we intend to explore and assess in more detail in our final report for this project.

Related items

  1. Regional economies: The role of industrial strategy as a pathway to greener growth

    Regions like the North should have a key role to play in the development of a green industrial strategy.

  2. Achieving the 2030 child poverty target: The distance left to travel

    On 27 March, the Scottish government will announce whether Scotland’s 2023 child poverty target – no more than 18 per cent of children in poverty – was achieved. 

  3. Spring statement: A changed world calls for a changed course

    If there are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen, the last few weeks feel seismic.  The prime minister was right to say the world has changed. Donald Trump’s re-election in November has unleashed a wave…