More than 26,000 small boat migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year, as hundreds more make the illegal crossing on Saturday morning.
A short improvement in weather conditions overnight has seen people smugglers launch multiple boats into the English Channel.
Since first light, Border Force vessels have responded to a number of incidents where migrant boats made it to UK waters.
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A total of 435 small boat migrants crossed the English Channel today, taking the number of arrivals this year to more than 26,000.
The Dover lifeboat arrived into Dover harbour just before 4:30pm with the final group of 56 migrants, who managed to reach UK waters this afternoon in atrocious conditions, as strong winds sweep across the Channel.
It takes the number of migrants who have made the illegal crossing since the UK-France returns deal came into operation this week to 838.
According to GB News provisional figures, the total number of arrivals for the year so far now stands at 26,274. That compares to 17,638 who arrived at the same point in 2024.
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GB News estimates more than 26,000 small boat migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year
|GB NEWS
However, the scheme will only see a very modest number of returns in the initial phase, with suggestions that the number will be no more than 50 a week.
Already, under that planning assumption, the number arriving is around 16 times the cohort selected for return.
GB News sources said weather conditions are about to deteriorate again, with gusty winds sweeping through the Channel.
Migrants disembark from Border Force vessel this morning (August 8, 2025)
|GB NEWS
However, that poor weather could be short-lived, with an improvement expected later on Sunday.
The weather conditions are expected to remain changeable throughout next week.
If the remaining migrant boats currently in the Channel make it to UK waters, GB News estimates the provisional number of migrant arrivals so far this year will stand at around 26,250.
That compares to 17,638 who arrived at the same point last year.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay, and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.
"That is why this Government has put together a serious plan to take down these networks at every stage.
"Through international intelligence sharing under our Border Security Command, enhanced enforcement operations in Northern France and tougher legislation in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, we are strengthening international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal gangs whilst strengthening the security of our borders."