Overview
- The final figure is 9% below the 2022 record but 13% higher than 2024, with no crossings recorded on New Year’s Eve.
- Arrivals slowed sharply in November and December, including a 28‑day halt, while the average rose to 62 people per boat in 2025.
- The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act took effect in December, creating new criminal offences and granting counter‑terror‑style powers to target smuggling networks.
- In November the Home Secretary outlined plans to make refugee status temporary with 30‑month reviews and a 20‑year route to settlement, drawing criticism from Labour MPs and opponents.
- A pilot one‑in, one‑out returns deal with France logged 193 returns and 195 transfers by 16 December, as Conservatives attacked low overall removals and charities reported at least 17 to 36 deaths linked to crossings in 2025.