The United Kingdom has witnessed a notable decrease in migrants crossing the English Channel, marking the first year-on-year reduction since records began. According to government figures, the provisional annual total for 2023 indicates 29,437 crossings, representing a 36% decline compared to the record-high 45,774 crossings recorded in 2022.
The year concluded with a significant development as the last recorded crossings took place on December 16 when 55 individuals arrived in the UK from France in a single boat. Remarkably, the remaining 15 days of 2023 saw no further arrivals, attributed to adverse weather conditions. This period without arrivals marks the longest consecutive stretch throughout the year.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s commitment to “stop the boats” faced scrutiny in recent months, as the government has yet to provide a firm date for achieving this goal. The promise, outlined as part of a set of priorities at the beginning of 2023, included passing new legislation to detain and expeditiously remove those arriving in the UK illegally. Despite the implementation of asylum reforms in July, the specifics of the reforms remain unclear.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s initiative to transfer migrants to Rwanda encountered setbacks, including legal action and a subsequent Supreme Court ruling declaring the policy unlawful. Fresh legislation is anticipated in January to address concerns and solidify agreements with Rwanda.
Since the inception of the Rwanda deal in April 2022, approximately 70,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel, with nearly 40,000 arriving during Prime Minister Sunak’s tenure. The Illegal Migration Bill became law six months ago, but the government has not specified when its provisions will be enforced.
The backlog of asylum claims remains a challenge, with 109,442 cases recorded in November. Sunak’s pledge to cease housing asylum seekers in hotels remains unfulfilled, with ongoing concerns regarding the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to accommodate migrants off the coast of Dorset.
The number of arrivals per month exhibited a decline toward the end of 2023, possibly influenced by seasonal changes and adverse weather conditions. In December, 1,077 arrivals were recorded, compared to 1,744 during the same period in 2022.
