Crossing into the UK through the English Channel poses significant risks, yet for many, it remains the sole opportunity for a better life.
The dangers are substantial and evident from both perspectives. Despite the ongoing influx of individuals risking their lives to cross the English Channel, the government, under the leadership of Rishi Sunak, has diligently sought viable alternatives while addressing ethical concerns.
As of April 21st, 6,265 individuals had crossed the English Channel in small boats since the beginning of 2024.
This marks an increase of nearly a quarter compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
In 2023, a total of 29,437 individuals arrived in the UK using this method, marking a significant decrease from the 2022 total of 45,755, the highest recorded since data collection began in 2018.
Over the period since 2018, approximately 120,000 people have entered the UK via this pathway.
The UK government asserts that relocating certain asylum seekers to Rwanda will serve as a deterrent against crossing the English Channel in small boats. The Rwanda bill, a significant focus for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has been endorsed by the UK parliament following several months of legal and political disputes.
Scoring The Crossings
During the first quarter of 2024, approximately 40% of individuals arriving in the UK via small boats originated from Vietnam and Afghanistan. From January 1st to April 21st, 1,266 Vietnamese nationals and 1,216 Afghans arrived by this means.
In 2023, Afghans constituted the largest nationality group crossing the Channel, comprising one-fifth of all small boat arrivals. Iranians (13%) and Turkish nationals (11%) followed as the next most common nationalities using this route. In 2023, approximately 85% of small boat arrivals were male, and nearly a fifth of those with recorded ages were between 25 and 39 years old. According to estimates from the International Organization for Migration, at least 72 migrants are believed to have drowned in the English Channel since 2018.
The death of five asylum seekers including a seven year old girl just hours after the UK parliament endorsed a holding place in Rwanda for those ready to run, spirals pain for the government.
Migratory observations show that the number of individuals entering the UK through irregular means, aside from small boats, such as in lorries or containers, has increased significantly since 2020. This surge is primarily attributed to the substantial rise in small boat arrivals, which led to a more than threefold increase in overall irregular entries. As a result, the proportion of small boat arrivals among detected irregular entries skyrocketed from 2% in 2018 to over 85% in 2022. However, it’s worth noting that a higher percentage of boat arrivals are detected compared to other irregular arrivals. This proportion slightly decreased in the first quarter of 2023, accounting for 71% of all irregular arrivals.
What The Rwanda Bill Posts For The Future
The recently passed Rwanda bill aims to tackle the issue of small boat arrivals, which is recognized as a significant concern by various stakeholders including government, civil society, and the UN.
However, it’s important to note that while government responses have largely focused on deterrence and physical enforcement measures, there are differing opinions on how best to address this issue.
Enforcement strategies have included operational cooperation with countries like France and Albania, as well as deterrence policies such as reducing the rights of asylum seekers upon arrival and agreements to relocate asylum seekers to other countries like Rwanda. While there is evidence that physical enforcement measures can impact asylum applications to some extent, the academic evidence on the effectiveness of changes to asylum applicants’ rights in influencing their migration decisions is less conclusive.
Therefore, while the Rwanda bill may contribute to addressing the issue, it’s unlikely to be a silver bullet solution on its own.
