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. A group of primary school aged children using ipads around a table, a little girl smiles at the camera

    "Primary is what comes first": How end of key stage 2 exams impact disadvantaged children

    End of primary school tests need reform to work better for the children who need the most support at school.
  2. A diverse group of runners smiling and high-fiving spectators as they cross the finish line

    The Europe agenda: Our values

    Why we must redesign our relationship with Europe around the values we share and want to defend.
  3. A view from above a wind turbine with two engineers standing on top of it

    Partner to scale: How international collaboration can enable the green transition

    Scaling clean industrial technologies requires a shift from fragmented national strategies to targeted, durable international cooperation.