Why Channel crossings have continued to rise: six key reasons

More than 50,000 people have arrived in UK since Keir Starmer vowed to ‘smash the gangs’ behind small boats

Keir Starmer moved into Downing Street 403 days ago promising to ditch the government’s failing Rwanda plan, bin the slogan “stop the boats” and instead use the money to “smash the gangs” organising the crossings.

Since then, more than 50,000 people have arrived in the UK after travelling across the Channel in ribbed boats, and the smuggling gangs continue to profit from the misery of desperate people.

Reform UK’s popularity is soaring amid campaigns for the closure of hotels being used to house asylum seekers as claimants wait to discover if they can live and work in the UK.

Here are five reasons that the number of Channel crossings have continued to rise.