### Record-Breaking 1,194 Migrants Cross the English Channel to the UK in a Single Day

A record influx of migrants crossed the English Channel to the UK on Saturday, reaching the highest single-day total so far in 2025. According to Home Office data, 1,194 individuals arrived in 18 small boats, surpassing previous records.

On the Sky News program "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips," Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the escalating border crisis, admitting that the UK had "lost control of its borders over the last five years." This recent surge has increased the annual tally to 14,811 migrants, marking a 42% rise from the same period last year and a significant 95% jump compared to 2023.

The number of Channel crossings has been rising yearly, with nearly 37,000 people arriving in the UK via small boats in 2024. The peak year was 2022, with 45,755 arrivals. The highest daily record before this year was 1,305 arrivals on September 3, 2022.

The Defence Secretary described the scenes of migrants being collected by smugglers as "shocking" and compared it to a "taxi" service. Healey mentioned an agreement with French authorities aiming to modify their approach. On Saturday, French authorities rescued 184 individuals from the Channel. Healey emphasized that the goal is to empower French authorities to intercept smugglers and prevent these dangerous crossings at sea, not just onshore.

A Home Office spokesperson reiterated the government's commitment to ending perilous small boat journeys that jeopardize lives and border security. They condemned the people-smuggling gangs for their indifference to human life, focusing solely on profits. The spokesperson emphasized that the government is determined to dismantle these criminal networks at every stage and bring the perpetrators to justice.

This development adds to a series of immigration-related issues, with reports emerging of former soldiers involved in smuggling operations and immigration officers targeting illegal workers in dark kitchens. The prime minister has pledged that new immigration rules will lead to a significant reduction in these numbers.