More than 1,300 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats since the UK-France returns treaty came into force last Wednesday, with almost 250 making the perilous journey this morning alone as the Home Office faces mounting pressure over border control failures.
The latest surge in crossings comes as GB News reveals that around 150 people remain in the Channel heading towards UK waters, despite Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hailing the new treaty as a “groundbreaking” agreement that would allow migrants to be returned to France for the first time.
Border Force vessels brought the morning arrivals to Dover and Ramsgate harbours after intercepting multiple dinghies in UK waters. The crossings mark a significant blow to Labour’s promise to “smash the gangs” and restore order to Britain’s borders through the new returns arrangement with France.
For the first time, under this groundbreaking new treaty, people who undertake illegal, dangerous journeys to the UK can be returned to France,” Cooper said when the treaty was ratified last Tuesday. The Home Secretary acknowledged the accord was not a “silver bullet” but insisted it marked a crucial step change in tackling the small boats crisis.
Under the “one-in, one-out” pilot scheme, UK officials aim to make referrals for returns within three days of a migrant’s arrival, with French authorities expected to respond within 14 days. In exchange, Britain will accept an equal number of asylum seekers from France with legitimate family connections.
Labour Admits ‘Losing Track’ of 150,000 Migrants
The Channel crossings surge coincides with a damaging admission from Labour ministers that they have “lost track” of more than 150,000 migrants who entered Britain on social care visas. Government officials conceded they have “no idea” how many foreign workers brought in to fill roles in the crisis-hit social care system are still working in the sector.
Care minister Stephen Kinnock revealed the data failure in response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Blake Stephenson, who asked for estimates of social care visa holders still employed in the sector.
The department does not hold data that directly links visa status to ongoing employment in adult social care or residence in the United Kingdom over time,” Kinnock admitted. “As such, it is not possible to estimate the number or proportion of individuals who entered the UK on a social care work visa and who are still in the UK or working in the social care sector.”
The minister suggested individuals may have ceased working in social care “for a variety of reasons, for example to return to their country of origin or to switch to another immigration route.” However, The Telegraph reports it is not even known if these migrants remain in the UK, raising concerns about potential visa overstayers.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp condemned the revelation as “shocking” evidence of “Labour chaos.” He said: “They have lost control of our borders. We need to bring the levels of immigration down significantly and swiftly remove anyone who is breaching the conditions of their visa.
Scale of Social Care Visa Crisis
The UK has granted 154,402 visas to migrants providing “caring personal services” since care staff were added to the skilled worker scheme in February 2022. The scheme was introduced amid fears the social care industry would collapse without overseas workers.
Annual totals peaked at 107,772 in 2023 before plummeting to 9,539 in 2024, when the previous Conservative government barred care visa holders from bringing family members. At its height, a disproportionate 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 care workers on the route.
The Public Accounts Committee recently warned that the Home Office has “little understanding” of migrants’ compliance with visa terms and has not taken exit checks since the skilled worker system was introduced in 2020. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Committee, said the government “moved swiftly to open up the visa system to help the social care system cope during the pandemic” but “lost sight of risk of exploitation of migrant workers.
Returns Treaty Under Pressure
The new UK-France returns treaty, which remains in force until June 2026, allows any adult migrant crossing the Channel to be at risk of return if their asylum claim is considered inadmissible. Immigration Enforcement has set aside space at removal centres, while Border Force has prepared an operational strategy to identify and process groups for removal.
However, early implementation appears limited. French media reports suggest the pilot scheme would involve returning approximately 50 migrants to France per week – just one in 14 of those arriving. With an average of 700 migrants entering the UK by small boat each week in 2025, critics argue the scale is insufficient to act as a deterrent.
This deal will mean that 94 per cent of illegal migrants crossing the Channel will get to stay,” Conservative MP Chris Philp told The Times. “That is pathetic and will not deter anyone.”
The treaty was signed by Cooper and French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau last week following negotiations between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Both governments have committed to reviewing and improving the process throughout the pilot period.
Record-Breaking Crossings in 2025
More than 25,000 people have already crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025, the fastest rate since records began. The figure represents a 48% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with crossings reaching their highest levels for January to June.
The surge comes despite Labour’s pledge to tackle the crisis differently from the Conservatives, who saw 45,774 arrivals in 2022 – the highest annual figure on record. In its first year, the Labour government returned more than 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK, a 28% increase in returns of failed asylum seekers.
A Home Office spokesman defended the government’s record, stating: “This route, which we closed with our Immigration White Paper, was opened under the previous government. We also inherited a data system which was not designed to monitor the long-term outcomes of health and care visa holders.
The spokesman added that returns have increased by 11% since the election, including visa overstayers, and that the Immigration White Paper sets out “a comprehensive plan to bring greater order to our system by reducing reliance on overseas labour.
As hundreds more migrants attempt the dangerous crossing today, pressure mounts on the government to demonstrate that its new approach can succeed where previous efforts have failed. With the returns treaty now operational but untested at scale, ministers face scrutiny over whether their strategy can deliver the control voters demand.
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