A huge update was issued over the Bank Holiday weekend.
GB News’ Will gave an update to his colleagues (Image: GB News)
GB News halted for a breaking update as it emerged that nearly 1,000 small boat migrants have crossed the Channel just over the Bank Holiday weekend alone. The hosts spoke to reporter Will Godley about the update as he explained that there had been fourteen boats arrive just in the last four days. He explained that after a French crackdown, some are even setting off via Belgium instead. Godley stated that once the small boats reach a halfway point between France and England they’re typically intercepted by British borderforce vessels.
He continued: “That’s what happened this morning, they were intercepted by a border security command vessel and then picked up, taken on board and brought to Dover. Our counter there recorded around 70 people on board taking the total so far over the last four days to 984.”
His co-star went on to explain further and stated that Britain “absolutely has control over the Channel” and stated that none of the boats would get through because they’re all intercepted. He continued: “It’s not that we have this incompetent system, we have a competent system, with incredible efficiency.”
However, it was noted by Godley that overall, the numbers are down compared to last year. He stated that this time last year they were at 13,000 migrant arrivals compared to this year’s 8,500. Though it was also raised that in 2022 we had similar low numbers at this stage and it shot up at a later stage.
The update did still lead to some frustrations though, with furious viewers taking to the comments to share their thoughts.
One user wrote on X: “Why are they not confiscating these dinghies and arresting the drivers for people smuggling?” Another raged: “Nearly 1,000 over a Bank Holiday and they still act surprised. If this was any other job, heads would roll.”
A third said: “Why are they allowed to enter Britain?” While a fourth fumed: “It sends totally the wrong message like it’s all ok!”
The migrant crisis is one that has been ongoing for years with figures climbing as a whopping 46,000 detected arrivals came to the UK last year, which was an increase on 2024 which saw 36,800. The highest year before that was 2022 where 45,800 small boat arrivals made it across the Channel.
