Record influx of migrants arriving by small boats in the UK
A small boats flotilla has brought 605 migrants to Britain — the most in a single February day since the crisis began in 2018, reports BritPanorama.
Border Force and RNLI vessels picked up the arrivals off Kent on Wednesday, as people-trafficking gangs took advantage of calm conditions in the English Channel. This number nearly doubles the 305 migrants returned to France under the one-in, one-out deal, which has been active for seven months.
A total of 367 migrants have been transferred to Britain in the same period, reflecting a growing challenge for authorities. Official figures indicate that more than 190,000 small-boat migrants have reached Britain since 2018, with only 7,612 — just four percent — returned to France.
The statistics represent a significant setback for the Home Office. The official figures are emblematic of ongoing struggles to control cross-Channel migration, prompting criticism regarding the effectiveness of current policies. In the face of these challenges, the number of migrants living in hotels has decreased to an 18-month low of 30,657 at the end of 2025. However, 76,346 are still residing in taxpayer-funded housing across the UK.
The Home Office stated, “These statistics show real progress. Action against people smugglers is at record levels. But the number of people crossing the Channel is too high.” The government’s response will likely continue to evoke debate as officials assess the efficacy of current strategies to manage the persistent influx of migrants.
This situation underscores the complexities surrounding migration in the UK, raising questions about policy effectiveness and humanitarian considerations that are becoming increasingly relevant in an evolving geopolitical landscape.
