Conservative response to record boat crossings

Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said:

“It is shocking, but not surprising, that Keir Starmer has overseen record boat crossings.

“He immediately scrapped our deterrent, reversed our illegal migration plan and loosened visa rules. Labour have made Britain the soft touch of Europe on migration.

“The Conservatives are under new leadership and will tell the British people the truth. If Starmer doesn't back the Conservatives' proposals, it will show he isn't serious about protecting our borders.”

Notes to Editors

• So far this year, 2025 has been by far the worst year on record for Channel crossings by illegal migrants. Between 1 January and 9 March 2025, 4,131 migrants have crossed the Channel. In the same period in 2024, 3,358 migrants crossed. In the same period in 2023, 3,250. In the same period in 2022, 2,212. In the same period in 2021, 797. In the same period in 2020, 305. In the same period in 2019, 133. In the same period in 2018, 7 (Home Office, Migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats – time series, 11 March 2025, link; Christopher Hope, Twitter, 11 March 2025, link).