Channel crossings pass 30,000 arrivals in record time
Some 1,097 migrants crossed the Channel in 17 boats on Saturday, bringing the total in 2025 so far to 30,100, Home Office figures show.
It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.
Last year, the figure was not passed until October 30 and in 2023 it was never reached as crossings totalled 29,437 for the whole year.
In 2022, the number was reached on September 21.
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 19:50
Starmer warned deputy leadership race is make-or-break moment for Labour government
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 19:20
Watch: Brian Cox Slams ‘Bully’ Nigel Farage In Scathing Takedown Of ‘Misinformed’ Reform UK LeaderBrian Cox Slams ‘Bully’ Nigel Farage In Scathing Takedown Of ‘Misinformed’ Reform UK Leader
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 18:50
Mahmood said the first migrant returns will begin ‘imminently’
Shabana Mahmood said the first migrant returns will begin “imminently” under a deal with France after Home Office figures showed small boat crossings in the Channel have passed 30,000 this year.
The new Home Secretary said: “These small boats crossings are utterly unacceptable and the vile people smugglers behind them are wreaking havoc on our borders.
“Thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can now be detained and removed to France and I expect the first returns to take place imminently.
“Protecting the UK border is my priority as Home Secretary and I will explore all options to restore order to our immigration system.”
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 18:20
Kemi Badenoch says Labour ‘mismanaged the economy’ as London Tube strikes set to start
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has accused Labour of “piling more misery on us”, as a week of Tube strikes are set to begin in London.
In a post on X she wrote: “Last year Keir Starmer put up taxes on struggling businesses, but gave inflation-busting pay rises to unions, promising to end strikes.
“A year later doctors are voting to strike for the second time this summer and London tube drivers walking out, piling more misery on us.
“Labour have completely mismanaged the economy. Conservatives will fix their mess by getting spending under control and living within our means.”
Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 17:50
Pictured: Prime minister joins the King at church
Sir Keir Starmer joined King Charles at church in Scotland .
The prime minister and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer were pictured arriving at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral on Sunday morning.
Prayers were said for the Duchess of Kent and to mark the third anniversary of the King’s Accession.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, leave after attending a Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive to attend a Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 17:30
Home Office looking at barracks to house asylum seekers under Mahmood
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 17:10
More than 1,000 migrants arrived on Saturday
More than 30,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year, after 1,097 arrived on Saturday, Home Office figures show.
Migrants try to board a smuggler’s boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines (AFP/Getty)
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 16:50
Siren sounds blared in national test this afternoon
Siren sounds blared from mobile phones across the country in a test of the national emergency alert system.
At around 3pm on Sunday, mobiles connected to 4G and 5G networks vibrated and sounded for about 10 seconds in the second test of the system – after the first in 2023.
The vibrations and sirens lasted for about 10 seconds.
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 16:30
New Home Secretary to discuss border security
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will host counterparts from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to discuss border security on Monday as her first major engagement in her new role.
Ms Mahmood said: “Rebuilding our reputation on the world stage is how we tackle serious organised crime and secure our borders.
“We have already reset our relationship with the EU, struck a people smuggling deal with the G7 and operationalised a first-of its-kind returns agreement with France. Today, we will agree new measures to protect our borders with our Five Eyes partners, hitting people smugglers hard.
“The Five Eyes might be drawn from different corners of the globe, but we are united by our alliance. As the security threats we all face become more complex and span continents, we are stronger and safer together.”
(PA)
Rebecca Whittaker7 September 2025 16:10