Channel crossings on the rise despite Rishi Sunak’s ‘stop the boats’ pledge — as yearly total passes 10,000 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made 'stop the boats' one of his priorities, but this week has seen an increase in Channel crossings and Home Office data shows the annual total now stands at 10,139.

(Sky News) More than 10,000 people are known to have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, latest figures show.

A jump in arrivals in recent days — 486 on Friday and 374 on Saturday — saw the total rise to 10,139.

The real number could be higher, as that count only takes into account those who have been detected making the dangerous journey in 2023.

Home Office data shows crossings have picked up over the past week after a relatively quiet spell earlier this month, coinciding with improving summer weather.

Last Sunday saw the highest number of crossings on a single day so far, with 549.

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