London: The number of asylum seekers arriving in Britain via small boats has surged to a new high in 2024, presenting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with significant political challenges.
According to provisional data from the Home Office, 4,644 individuals have been detected making the perilous journey across the Channel on inflatable dinghies up to March 26 this year.
This figure marks a notable increase compared to previous years, with 3,770 arrivals recorded during the same period last year and 4,162 in 2022, the previous record high.
Sunak has been advocating for his flagship scheme to deport unauthorized arrivals to Rwanda as a deterrent to further crossings. Legislative efforts to implement this plan, following legal setbacks, are slated to resume in parliament next month.
A spokesperson from the Home Office emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible." Collaboration with French authorities has intensified, given the escalating violence and disruptions faced by police on their beaches in efforts to thwart these dangerous journeys.
While overall annual numbers decreased by 36% last year compared to the record total in 2022, the recent surge in arrivals adds to the pressure on Sunak. Immigration remains a significant concern for voters, contributing to the Conservative Party's lag behind the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls.
Labour's immigration spokesperson, Stephen Kinnock, criticized Sunak's claims of success in curbing small boat arrivals, stating, "Despite all the evidence to the contrary, Rishi Sunak keeps on telling the British people that small boat arrivals are coming down and his promise to stop the boats remains on track."