Illegal Channel crossings at record level, up 41.7% in first quarter. Since the start of the year, at least seven migrants have died at sea and on a canal while trying to reach England.
Any increase in Channel crossings is likely to further weaken the Conservatives a few months before the legislative elections where polls predict an overwhelming victory for the Labor opposition led by Keir Starmer. On Sunday alone, 442 people reached the English coast aboard nine boats, fragile inflatable boats that are often overloaded.