Small boat Channel crossings hit 20,000 under Labour

The number of migrants crossing since 5 July – when Sir Keir entered Downing Street – is understood to have tipped over 20,000 in the early hours of Sunday.

Overall, 20,290 people have crossed between July and November, more than the 16,927 during the same period last year.

This is largely due to a spike in crossings during the month of October, with Home Office sources pointing to a higher number of days during the month compared to last year when seas were calmer.

The number of migrants crossing in Labour’s first five months in office is similar to the 20,839 who crossed between July and November 2021.

The total is below the 31,264 who crossed in the equivalent period in 2022, the highest year on record for crossings overall.