Right, surely this needs shouting from the rooftops? The concerns raised about small boat crossings have dominated the political discourse throughout the 2020s. Now, after previous years of policy uncertainly, Labour’s plan to smash the gangs appears to be working – as acknowledged by GB News.
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Small boat crossings for 2026
New figures released by the Home Office show that 12,500 migrants have crossed the English Channel since the start of the year. This is on course to reach around 25,000 by the conclusion of 2026. However, this would be much smaller than the 41,000 migrants who made the journey in 2025.
The year-on-year decline, if projections stay the same, would be up to 40%. Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer made targeting the criminal gangs who facilitate these crossings his primary focus, beefing up the police presence on French shores and targeting supply lines for people smugglers.
Having faced much criticism on this from, Sir Keir’s plan now looks to be working. The waters have been calm in recent weeks, yet the numbers haven’t spiked or reach four-figure daily totals in that time. It’s enough evidence for GB News’ Mark White to give the Labour government their dues.
“We haven’t been talking a lot about small boats, because there have been big gaps in terms of the crossings. There have been spells which aren’t just down to bad weather. But we have to be honest, the numbers are right down.”
“We can reveal that 12,500 small boat migrants have crossed the English Channel this year. That’s stark enough… But the numbers are down on last year, where we saw 41,000 cross the Channel. So we’re currently on course to be 40% on the figure from the previous year.”
‘We have to accept this policy is having an effect’ – GB News host
White, who serves as the Home and Security Editor for GB News, has been a staunch critic of Starmer and his handling of the small boats situation. However, he told viewers over the weekend that he ‘accepts his policies are having an effect’. Quite simply, the numbers don’t lie.
“I am sure this pretty controversial. But part of me would accept that some of this ‘smash the gangs’ policy is having an effect. It is absolutely true that there are more police on the coastline of France. The conditions are flat and calm, and we’d usually get a thousand in a single day.”
“People smugglers are being pushed further down the coast, in some cases going 100 miles further south. The disruption from the authorities is going after boat supplies and forcing smugglers to go greater distances. You may disagree that its working, but let’s see where we are later in the year.”
GB News presenters deliver ‘awkward praise’ for Labour government
However, several online commentators poked fun at the broadcaster for the manner in which they delivered the news. Some viewers believed that the update was reported through ‘gritted teeth’, with a begrudging undertone to boot. You can judge for yourselves…