Overview

• On May 31, more than 1,000 migrants crossed in small boats, the highest single-day total of 2025, pushing the year’s tally past 14,600—a 30% increase on last year.
• UK and French rescue services deployed 11 vessels and two aircraft, and the Coastguard appealed to fishing boats after Border Force and RNLI lifeboats were fully tasked.
• London has committed £480 million to support French operations, yet France has intercepted under 40% of departures so far this year.
• Under new accords, France can now stop overloaded boats at sea and intends to reinstate an illegal-stay offence, while Germany will criminalize aiding smuggling to the UK.
• Opposition figures accuse the government of losing border control despite Prime Minister Starmer’s vow to dismantle smuggling gangs, and warn that measures may take months to curb crossings.