Is Britain’s migrant return policy working?
Nearly 20,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Britain on small boats in the first half of 2025, setting a new record and intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government.
Official data revealed a 50% increase compared to last year, with 879 migrants arriving on a single day, pushing the total to 19,982. Starmer has pledged to crack down on people smuggling gangs and reduce dangerous Channel crossings, a pressing concern for voters.
The government claims to have returned over 24,000 people without legal rights to stay since last July, but better weather and new tactics have increased crossings, and 73 people died attempting the journey in 2024.
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