EXPLAINED: 19 - The Real Truth

Refugee and migrant crossings to UK hit record high by end of July

More than 25,000 people have crossed the English Channel to the UK in 2025, the highest total this early in the year.

Al Jazeera · Jul 31, 2025

Channel crossings in 2025 pass 25,000 – faster than any year since records began

As ministers aim to ‘smash’ people-smuggling gangs, milestone passes almost a month earlier than previous record of 2022

The Guardian - UK · Jul 31, 2025

Almost 900 migrants cross the Channel in one day alone

IN FULL

The Independent UK · Jul 31, 2025

What caused Britain’s deadliest ‘small boat’ disaster, and how can another be avoided?

On a cold, wet November evening, Issa Mohamed Omar and more than 30 other men, women and children set off from their informal camp near the northern French port city of Dunkirk. They walked through the darkness in near-silence for around two hours, until they reached the beach from where…

The Conversation · Jul 24, 2025

UK Launches First Sanctions In New Strategy To Deter Migrant Crossings

The UK imposed sanctions Wednesday on more than two dozen people, groups and suppliers from the Balkans, the Middle East and China accused of helping migrants cross the Channel.

International Business Times · Jul 23, 2025

Eurostar calls for ‘credible’ Channel rail strategy as monopoly decision looms

Operator says if rivals are allowed to squeeze into existing facilities it could jeopardise its investment

The Guardian - UK · Jul 23, 2025

Smuggler crammed 21 migrants into small luxury yacht and tried to sneak them into UK

Albanian national Bleda Bega was captaining the 23ft vessel when it was intercepted in the English Channel en route to Newquay

Evening Standard · Jul 22, 2025

Sanctions to be introduced to target people-smuggling gangs

The first wave of sanctions to be imposed on Wednesday will target those involved in supplying small boats for Channel crossings.

Evening Standard · Jul 21, 2025

Leaked document shows boat slashing failed to stop migrants reaching UK

Coastguard log raises new concerns over safety and viability of flagship policy to intercept dinghies crossing Channel

The Guardian - UK · Jul 20, 2025

Migrant boats head to UK as Starmer set to meet German leader to discuss people smuggling gangs

People crammed into inflatable dinghies were handed life jackets by French authorities as they left from Gravelines to make the dangerous journey across the English Channel

Evening Standard · Jul 17, 2025