The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats has plummeted by in the first half of 2026, new Home Office figures have revealed.
Between January and June this year, some 11,884 people arrived, down from 19,982 over the same period last year, a drop of 41%.
The figure for 2026 is also down 12% on the 13,489 who arrived in small boats in the first six months of 2024.
This year’s figure is up four per cent on 2023 (11,433) and down seven per cent on 2022 (12,747).
Number 10 has said the drop is proof their policy on Channel crossings is working. This has included limiting the supply of small boat parts and agreeing deals to return some migrants to their country of origin.
No10 also pointed to the three year, £662m deal home secretary Shabana Mahmood agreed with French authorities to support beach patrols.
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Last month saw 2,742 migrants cross the Channel, which was the lowest number for June since 2021.
The figures are the latest evidence that Labour’s policy on immigrations and small boat crossings is working.
In May, data showed that net migration for the UK had fallen by 48% to 171,100 in 2025, the lowest level since 2012, outside of the pandemic.
This was along with the number of people claiming asylum in the UK in the year to March falling by 12%, and the number of asylum seekers in hotels dropping by a third.
Mahmood is also working on an overhaul of the asylum system to deter crossings. This week, she announced plans for asylum seekers to have to pay £10,000 to the Home Office.
The money would cover their own housing and financial support once they start work under new plans that mirror the student-loan structure.