Labour issued grim new warning over migrants heading across Channel | Politics | News

The alarming record death toll in the English Channel could rise again this year, Yvette Cooper has been warned.

At least 69 people died attempting to cross the English Channel last year, the Refugee Council said.

Around a third of these are said to have been children, including a baby, the charity said.

But some estimates have put the death toll at 79, leading to calls for the Home Office and French authorities to publish official data on the number of people losing their lives.

Migrant smuggling gangs are launching more overcrowded boats than ever before as police attempt to destroy their supply chains.

The Refugee Council said in an alarming report published on Thursday: “We may never know all of the personal stories behind those tragedies, but there should be no acceptance that the deaths are collateral damage in tackling the smuggling gangs.

“Taking on the gangs is one of the necessary actions needed to reduce the number of people putting their lives at risk to reach the UK, but the Government seems to have accepted that it is leading to the journey becoming more dangerous.

“Steps must be taken to improve the search and rescue capacity in the Channel, particularly close to the French coast.

“There is a risk that 2025 continues to see an increase in deaths as more action is taken to enforce the UK’s border without also addressing the reasons why people are willing to put their lives at risk in the first place.”

Home Office sources admit “the increased overcrowding of dinghies has been one of the starkest and most dangerous features of the past year and has tragically resulted in 2024 recording the highest number of fatalities among those trying to cross the Channel”.

Insiders said many of the deaths are because of migrants suffocating as the boat folds in on itself when it begins to deflate.

Others drown when the boat breaks down because it is so overcrowded.

Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, urged the British and French Governments to invest more in search and rescue teams to prevent deaths in the Channel.

He said the Home Office should consider a “refugee visa” that would allow 10,000 people to move to the UK each year.

Mr Solomon said: “The record number of deaths in the Channel this year should serve as a stark reminder that the current approach is not working. Smuggling gangs are profiting from men, women and children forced into life-threatening conditions, and enforcement measures alone are not enough to address this.

“More safe and legal routes are needed to provide a lifeline for those fleeing war and persecution. The success of the Ukraine schemes shows that when safe alternatives exist, refugees use them and don’t resort to incredibly dangerous journeys across the Channel.

“The Government also has a responsibility to invest in better search and rescue operations, in partnership with France, to prevent yet more deaths.

“Every person who lost their life in the Channel this year was someone with a story and loved ones – like seven-year-old Sara, who died boarding an overcrowded boat with her family. These deaths are not inevitable.”

Some 36,816 people made the journey in 2024, a jump of 25% from the 29,437 who arrived in 2023, according to provisional figures from the Home Office.

The total is down 20% on the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.

The last crossings of the year took place on December 29, when 291 people made the journey from France in six boats.

The Tories on Tuesday night accused Labour of insulting “the British people” after the number of arrivals increased by 29%, compared to last year.

The Conservatives said 23,242 people arrived on small boats between July 5 and December 31.

This is compared to 18,004 in 2023.

Home Office sources insist they are making progress on preventing Channel migrant crossings, pointing to the number of so-called “red days”, when it is particularly calm and easier weather conditions for the smugglers to exploit.

Insiders said there were a record 88 red days in the second half of this year – but there were 10,000 fewer arrivals than over the same period in 2022.

This, they claim, shows they are beginning to disrupt the gangs and their smuggling routes as they were less able to exploit better conditions.

Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “Labour voted against every action undertaken by the Conservatives in Government to deter and remove illegal migrants.

“From turning boats around in the Channel, to fast-track removals and a 3rd country deterrent, Rwanda; the Labour Party and their left-wing friends blocked it all.

“Labour don’t care and they don’t have a plan.”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added: “Illegal channel crossings are up 29% since the election, and 3 times higher this December than last year.

“Labour has lost control of our borders.

“They made a catastrophic mistake by cancelling the Rwanda deterrent before it even started – ignoring NCA advice.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Every life lost at sea is a tragedy, which is why our efforts are focused on saving lives, as well as protecting our borders.

“The people smuggling gangs only care about profit and we are seeing their behaviour adapt, with more people crammed into flimsy and dangerous boats.

“Our joint work with France in preventing crossings is about stopping people putting themselves and others at risk.”