Mark White has warned that Britain faces a significant influx of migrants within days as weather conditions in the Channel are set to improve dramatically.
Speaking on GB News, Mark explained that recent stormy conditions have prevented crossings for approximately a week, creating a backlog that will result in a substantial surge once calmer seas return.
Mark White said on GB News: "Well, we’re in a very strange period because we’ve had so much windy weather in the Channel.
"What’s been happening is you get about a week or so of impassable conditions where the people smugglers are unable to launch their boats.
Mark White has warned that Britain faces a significant influx of migrants within days
|GB NEWS
"Then you get one or two days of really good weather, and suddenly there are huge surges. That’s what’s going to happen this weekend.
"Thursday into Friday, the weather calms in the Channel, and by later on Friday, they’ll start crossing. Saturday and Sunday are going to be very busy in the Channel.
"We’re looking at well in excess of 1,000, I would imagine. So that’s going to be really difficult, because he’ll be talking about how they’re getting to grips with the problem."
The latest figures reveal that migrant crossings have already surpassed last year's totals, with more than 32,182 people arriving via small boats since January.
This represents a significant increase compared to the 24,335 individuals who had made the journey by this point in 2024.
The surge has accelerated in recent days, with Home Office data confirming that 1,072 people reached British shores aboard 13 vessels on Friday alone.
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An additional 83 migrants arrived at Dover early on Saturday morning, bringing the total number of arrivals since Friday morning to 1,155.
Maritime authorities, including Border Force and lifeboat crews from Ramsgate and Dover, were repeatedly deployed to respond to multiple boat sightings throughout Friday, with UK officials maintaining heightened vigilance overnight for potential additional crossings.
Weather forecasters anticipate deteriorating conditions will halt crossings from this afternoon, providing a temporary respite for several days.
The recent arrivals follow the Home Office's announcement regarding progress with their bilateral agreement with France, which operates on a reciprocal removal basis.
Labour is facing growing pressure to tackle the small boats crisis as more are expected to cross this weekend
| GETTYOfficials confirmed that three asylum seekers have been returned under this arrangement, including an Iranian national sent back on Friday.
This followed the removal of an Indian citizen on Thursday and an Eritrean individual earlier on Friday, who had unsuccessfully challenged his deportation through the courts.
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