Reform UK leader lashes out after record-breaking number of illegal arrivals on English shores

Nigel Farage says the number of arrivals shows ‘our country is in peril’ (Image: PA)

Nigel Farage has declared that “our country is in peril” after more than 1,000 migrants crossed the English Channel in a record-breaking day for illegal arrivals. Saturday’s warm weather led to the highest total of people making the perilous journey on a single day so far this year, beating the previous record of 825 set earlier this month.

The shocking figure means 14,600 people have been smuggled across the water so far in 2025, a 30% rise on the same point last year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has blamed favourable weather conditions for the increase, pointing to the higher number of “red days” – periods of calm weather when crossings are more viable. But reacting to the latest news on social media platform X, Reform UK leader Mr Farage said: “As I warned earlier, huge numbers of young males have crossed the Channel today … well over 1,000. Our country is in peril.”

Ministers believe the situation could improve in the coming months, with France changing its laws to allow police to stop small boats at sea using their own vessels.

There has been fury at France’s lack of action over the crisis, with figures suggesting Paris has intercepted fewer than 40% of migrants attempting the crossing so far this year – despite a £480million funding agreement with the UK to help block departures.

Infuriatingly, feckless French police officers were seen on Saturday morning with their hands on their hips and using their mobile phones to film youngsters being crammed onto the deathtrap vessels.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the record number of arrivals on Saturday was a “day of shame” for Labour and showed Sir Keir Starmer’s party “has completely lost control of our borders”.

He added: “They scrapped the Rwanda deterrent before it even began and now the boats won’t stop coming. So far, this is already the worst year on record.

“Labour have failed on every front, and Britain is paying the price.”

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick added: “Starmer promised to smash the gangs, but they’re smashing him.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.

“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 intelligence-sharing under our Border Security Command, enhanced operations in northern France, and tougher legislation in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.”