The number of migrants arriving in the UK by small boat across the English Channel in 2024 was up by a quarter compared to the previous year, figures show.
Some 36,816 people made the journey in 2024, a jump of 25% from the 29,437 who arrived in 2023, according to provisional figures from the Home Office.
The total is down 20% on the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
The last crossings of the year took place on December 29, when 291 people made the journey from France in six boats.
The year 2024 was also considered the deadliest for Channel crossings, according to incidents recorded by the French coastguard, with 53 people dying while embarking on the journey across the busiest shipping lane in the world to reach the UK.
