Britain heading for record 10,000 Channel migrants this year

A record of nearly 10,000 Channel migrants could reach the UK by the end of the year, according to an analysis of current trends.

The research by campaign group Migration Watch UK indicated that around 9,500 are set to arrive in the UK this year if they continue at the rate seen since January.

That would be five times the total of nearly 1,900 who arrived in 2019. The number of crossings in the year so far - more than 5,600 - is five times the 1,100 who came during the first eight months of last year.

The analysis follows a record daily total of 409 who reached the UK on Wednesday with a further 200 stopped by the French before they reached British waters.

It followed Tuesday’s total of 145 migrants who reached the UK in 18 boats and a record monthly total of nearly 5,000 who crossed in August.

Immigration minister Chris Philp revealed that the Home Office was planning to deport back to EU countries nearly 1,000 Channel migrants, equivalent to a fifth of the total so far this year.

He told MP the migrants - from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Kuwait, Bidoon and Syria - had previously claimed asylum in EU countries and “under regulations should be returned there.”

Migration Watch called for the Government to come to an agreement with the French to ensure that anyone setting off was immediately returned to substantially increase the number of removals of those with no right to be in the UK, including failed asylum seekers.

It said the Government should also change the law to remove “pull factors” including payments and free housing for asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers.

Alp Mehmet, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said:"We are on course for approaching 10,000 illegal crossings by the end of the year. Until it becomes clear that the UK is not a soft touch with an open door, the numbers will go on increasing.

“All this with net migration at record levels before the Covid crisis hit and unemployment shooting up. Message to No 10: pull your finger out."