The average number of people crossing the Channel per boat has hit a new monthly high, figures show, indicating the use of larger vessels.
In August, 5,369 people crossed the Channel in 102 boats, which equates to an average of about 53 a vessel. Analysis of provisional government data by PA Media shows this is the highest monthly average since records began in 2018.
The averages for the past three months have each set a new record. The second highest average of 52 was in July when 3,299 people made the journey in 63 boats. The third highest average of 49 was reached in June when 78 boats carried 3,823 people.
This suggests bigger boats are being used for crossings with larger numbers of people onboard.
So far this year, 20,101 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel. No arrivals have been recorded for the last two days amid poor weather conditions at sea. This is about 20% lower than this time last year, when more than 25,000 people had crossed on small boats.
In the whole of August 2022, 8,574 people were detected making the journey, Home Office data shows.
Earlier this week, the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the prime minister had “failed to get a grip” on Channel crossings.
Rishi Sunak continued to defend his “stop the boats” plan under questioning from broadcasters and said the government was making progress and its efforts were “working”. He previously played down suggestions that the lower number of crossings compared with last year was linked to poor weather conditions rather than policy decisions.
The government last month passed its illegal migration bill, which will allow the Home Office to send asylum seekers who arrive on small boats to Rwanda.
Last month, the government launched its “small boats week” to coincide with its use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to house asylum seekers. By the end of that week, all those living on the Bibby Stockholm were evacuated after legionella was found onboard.
The next day, six asylum seekers drowned after their small boat capsized during an attempted Channel crossing. Two British ships were involved in the search and rescue operation.
