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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

Weather blamed for small boat arrivals rising to 20,000 under Labour

People in an inflatable dinghy
People in an inflatable dinghy make their way towards the UK in the English Channel, 6 August, 2024. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Reuters

The number of small boat arrivals since Keir Starmer took power has passed 20,000, with the Home Office claiming a record number of calm autumnal days in the Channel was responsible.

A 31-day period in October and November had the highest ratio of so-called “red days” – when weather conditions make crossings likely or very likely – since records began in 2018, according to a leaked analysis.

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