The UK has recorded its longest stretch without small-boat migrant arrivals in more than six years, before crossings resumed this weekend, according to Home Office figures.
No migrants arrived by small boats between 14 November and 12 December, marking a 28-day pause the longest uninterrupted period since autumn 2018.
However, Border Force activity returned to the English Channel on Saturday, with around 160 people believed to have been picked up from two small boats.
Despite the recent weather, the total number of people crossing the Channel in small boats this year has reached 39,292. That figure is higher than any year except 2022, when a record 45,774 arrivals were recorded.
The pause comes amid intensified government efforts to discourage dangerous Channel crossings, although officials do not expect these measures to significantly reduce numbers until next year.
December is typically one of the quietest months for crossings, as harsh weather conditions, such as poor visibility, colder temperatures, shorter daylight hours and rough seas make the journey more difficult and risky.
The highest number of arrivals ever recorded in December was 3,254, in 2024.
The issue remains politically sensitive in the UK, despite small-boat arrivals accounting for only a small proportion of overall immigration. This week, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy held talks with European counterparts as discussions continue over possible reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Meanwhile, French maritime authorities have announced plans to intercept boats directly in the Channel, a move aimed at further reducing crossings.
