Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is facing scrutiny after blaming the weather for a record number of Channel crossings. It comes as pressure mounts on her and Keir Starmer to end the ongoing crisis. Ms Cooper said the UK’s border security is “dependent on the weather,” with the record number of small boat crossings this year reflecting better conditions than in previous years.
The latest data suggests that over 6,600 migrants have crossed the Channel so far in 2025, a 31% increase from this time last year. Meanwhile, the number of “red days”, when calm weather and sea conditions make crossing easier, is up from 17 to 42 compared to last year.
Ms Cooper said: “March had much higher levels and the really unacceptable situation that we’re in is because of the way the criminal gangs have taken hold, our border security ends up being dependent on the weather and we cannot continue like this, where the number of calm days affects the number of crossings and affects our border security.
“We’ve seen higher numbers in March, lower numbers in January and February, and that’s reflected in the number of calm days. We cannot carry on with border security being so dependent on the number of calm days that happen in the Channel.
“But the reason that is happening is because the criminal gangs still have a deep hold. So, the action that we are taking to address this is much stronger action with France, including new measures that will take place in the course of this year.
“France has agreed now to take action and to intervene in French waters. They’ve never done that before, that is a big and important change.
“The previous government tried to implement that. This is something that we have managed to achieve as a result of our close working with France.”
A record number of migrants have crossed the channel in 2025 (Image: Getty)
It comes ahead of a two-day summit in London this week organised by Ms Cooper and the Prime Minister. They will push for more international cooperation in tackling supply routes, criminal finances and online adverts for dangerous journeys.
More than 40 countries, including the US, Vietnam, France, and Iraq, are expected to attend. Representatives from social media giants X, Meta, and TikTok are also expected to attend.
Officials have also confirmed a £33m funding boost to secure more prosecutions along the smuggling routes to the French coast. British prosecutors will forge closer ties with allies to lock up more migrant smugglers across the continent.
