After recording the boat intersection, Starmer “losts control over the border”
Sir Keir Starmer “lost control” over the British border as the boat's number soared to record highs, Tory said.
A total of 656 immigrants crossed the UK channel on Saturday, with more than 8,000 people crossing this year.
It's the worst year ever, with the total so far 46% higher than that in 2024.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the prime minister promised to crack down on gang “dashed”.
He said: “This news highlights what we all know – Keir Starmer has lost control of our borders.
“It was the worst start of the year in illegal travel history. Starmer claims smashing the gang is in trouble.
“The Rwanda deterrence was cancelled before the start, without a replacement, Starmer’s only border protection plan was to pray for the harsh weather.”
Data released on Sunday showed 656 people arrived at 11 ships, the highest number to arrive in the UK in 2025. On Friday, 180 people were on three boats.
So far, it reached 8,064 boat junctions in 2025. This is already higher than the 7,567 people in the first four months of 2024.
Mr. Phelp said: “We are very disappointed with a weak prime minister who is more interested in his friends who please his human rights lawyers than protecting our borders from illegal immigration – mostly young people.
“These crossings are not only illegal: they are unnecessary because France is a safe country. There is a desperate need to evacuate deterrence to prevent a large number of illegal immigrants crossing the passage.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said: “We all want to end the dangerous small ship, which threatens lives and undermines our border security.
“The smuggling gangs don’t care if they give their lives or death vulnerable people, and as long as they give, we will do nothing to tear down their business model and bring them to justice.
“That is why this Government has proposed a serious, credible plan to ultimately restore order to our asylum system.
“This includes a stronger law enforcement force that raises it to more than five highest levels, and a major crackdown on illegal work to end false promises of gangs selling space on board.”
