Key facts
- Total crossings since Burnham took office
- 2,057
- Crossings on Saturday
- 326
- Crossings in same period in 2025
- 1,962
- Busiest day of the year
- 752 migrants in 24 hours
- Total crossings since start of year
- 14,526
Background
Andy Burnham became Prime Minister after being installed by the Labour Party last month, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer, who was ousted in a party internal move. The new government has continued the previous administration's approach to border control, including efforts to 'smash' people-smuggling gangs.
The previous Conservative government's plan to send migrants to Rwanda was scrapped by Starmer, a policy that had been blocked by legal challenges and a European Court of Human Rights intervention. The UK remains a member of the ECHR despite Brexit.
In a recent development, the European Parliament passed a proposal allowing member states to send migrants to asylum centres in third countries, potentially enabling EU nations to use facilities in Rwanda similar to those once earmarked for UK migrants.
Current situation
According to a report by Breitbart London, 326 migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday, bringing the total since Burnham took office to 2,057. This compares with 1,962 recorded during the same period in 2025, as reported by ITV.
The busiest day of the year occurred on Wednesday, with 752 migrants brought ashore in 24 hours. Since the start of the year, around 14,526 migrants have made the crossing, a figure Burnham has noted is lower than last year.
Burnham, speaking at Dover, said he would be 'relentless' in efforts to stem arrivals, but also said the public 'don't like the idea that the border looks like it's not controlled.' He added that 'slowly but surely' building blocks are being put in place and that the approach 'is working, but there's more to be done.'
| Period | Number of migrants |
|---|---|
| First two weeks of Burnham tenure | 2,057 |
| Same period in 2025 | 1,962 |
| Busiest day (Wednesday) | 752 |
| Since start of year | 14,526 |
Impacts
The continued crossings could affect public perception of the new government's competence, as the issue has dominated press coverage in the past. Burnham's comments suggest he sees the challenge partly as one of perception rather than an actual failure of policy.
Opposition leader Nigel Farage has accused Burnham of being 'delusional' and argues that 'smashing the gangs' is futile because other criminals will replace them. Farage's Reform Party proposes leaving the ECHR, deporting all illegal migrants, and using the Royal Navy in the Channel.
The European Parliament's recent proposal could shift the broader asylum landscape, potentially affecting how EU states handle migrants, though its impact on the UK remains unclear.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If crossings continue at the current rate, the issue may remain a political liability for Burnham, potentially overshadowing his government's other priorities. The government's claim that 'the plan is working' could face further scrutiny if numbers rise.
Should the European Parliament's proposal be adopted by member states, it could lead to more third-country asylum centres, possibly influencing UK policy debates. However, the UK's own use of such centres remains uncertain.
If the government intensifies enforcement, as Burnham has vowed, crossings may decline, but the effectiveness of such measures is unproven. The situation could evolve depending on weather, smuggling routes, and political responses.
Source: alipac.us
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Channel crossings comparison
Since start of year14,526
सटीक आंकड़े देखें
| श्रेणी | Number of migrants |
|---|---|
| First two weeks of Burnham tenure | 2,057 |
| Same period in 2025 | 1,962 |
| Busiest day (Wednesday) | 752 |
| Since start of year | 14,526 |
स्रोत:alipac.us स्रोत-समर्थित
