Nigel Farage issued a warning over small boats after the number of arrivals for 2025 hit a record 20,000. The Reform UK leader said even more migrants will make the dangerous Channel crossing if Britain continues “to give them everything when they arrive”.

Mr Farage took to X after it was reported that the milestone was passed this morning. The Clacton MP said: “This morning marked 20,000 people who have crossed the English Channel in small boats this year.

“This is the worst year on record, and it’s become a free-for-all.

“We need a removals deterrent so every single illegal immigrant who arrives is removed to a location outside Europe.

“The crossings will then rapidly stop.”

A Number 10 spokesman said today that the numbers are “clearly unacceptable”, adding: “Let’s be clear, the rising numbers in recent years are because these gangs have been allowed to embed industrial-scale smuggling enterprises across Europe.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to crack down on people smuggling gangs in a bid to get a grip on the issue.