More than 900 migrants crossed Channel in January

A total of 933 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats in January, the latest Home Office figures have revealed.

It was the lowest number for the first month of the year since 2021, with the stormy weather conditions likely contributing to the fall in arrivals.

The figure is 15% down on the 1,098 arrivals recorded in January 2025, and 30% below the figure for January 2024, when there were 1,335 arrivals. A total of 224 migrants made the journey in 2021.

A Home Office spokesperson said the government had stopped 40,000 crossing attempts since it came into office through "joint work with the French government".

They added they have "detained and removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally".

"Our pilot deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back," they said.

In 2025, a total of 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats, which was almost 5,000 more than the previous year.

Under the "one in, one out deal" with France, for each migrant the UK returns to France, another migrant with a strong case for asylum in the UK will come in return.

The UK can immediately detain anyone who crosses the Channel and, within about two weeks, agree with the French authorities to return the individual.

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said last week that the UK had sent back 281 migrants to France so far under its one in, one out agreement with the country.

However, the Conservatives criticised the scheme, questioning why only 281 migrants had been removed when more than 41,000 arrived in 2025.

On Monday the Press Association reported crossings had resumed, with a group of people brought in to the Port of Ramsgate by the UK Border Force.

Thanet is being used while maintenance work is carried out at the Port of Dover.

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