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

Why Channel crossings have continued to rise: six key reasons

People in the sea trying to board an already overcrowded small boat
Migrants try to board a smuggler's boat to cross the Channel off Gravelines, northern France. Photograph: Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/Getty Images

Keir Starmer moved into Downing Street 403 days ago promising to ditch the government’s failing Rwanda plan, bin the slogan “stop the boats” and instead use the money to “smash the gangs” organising the crossings.

Since then, more than 50,000 people have arrived in the UK after travelling across the Channel in ribbed boats, and the smuggling gangs continue to profit from the misery of desperate people.

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