The number of migrants crossing the English Channel has set a new record for the first half of the year.Some 19,982 migrants had arrived in the UK after making the dangerous crossing by the end of June, the latest Home Office figures show.The total is 48% higher than the figure for the first six months of 2024, which was 13,489, and 75% higher than the equivalent figure for 2023, which was 11,433.Data collection on the Channel crossings began in 2018.

The number of migrants crossing the English Channel has set a new record for the first half of the year.Some 19,982 migrants had arrived in the UK after making the dangerous crossing by the end of June, the latest Home Office figures show.The total is 48% higher than the figure for the first six months of 2024, which was 13,489, and 75% higher than the equivalent figure for 2023, which was 11,433.Data collection on the Channel crossings began in 2018.