Overview

• The Home Office recorded 1,097 arrivals on Saturday after nine days without crossings, the second-highest daily total this year.
• The year-to-date tally stands at 30,100, reached earlier than any year since records began and running 37% above 2023 and 8% above 2022 at the same point.
• Shabana Mahmood called the surge "utterly unacceptable" and said returns to France under the pilot deal will start imminently, with removals expected later this month.
• Reports warn that French political uncertainty and pending maritime interception powers could delay both returns and tougher Channel enforcement.
• The government is expected to propose moving asylum seekers from hotels to military sites, as opposition figures accuse ministers of losing control of the border.