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dpa
London
More than 12,000 people have reached the UK so far this year by crossing the English Channel in small boats, according to figures collected by the PA news agency.
The milestone comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not give a figure by which Channel crossings needed to come down before the government’s Rwanda migrant policy could be declared a success.
According to figures of the Ministry of Defence, 231 people were intercepted in five boats crossing the Channel on Friday, June 24.
This brings the total of people reaching the country for the year to 12,159.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today on the effectiveness of the Rwanda policy, Johnson: “I’m not going to give you a figure.”
The busiest week for Channel crossings so far this year was April 11 to 17, when 1,792 people were brought to shore - but the busiest seven-day period was 2,076 people who crossed in the seven days to April 19.
Crossings have continued despite the threat of asylum seekers being sent to Rwanda under new British Home Office plans.
However, the first flight to Rwanda, planned for last June 14, was cancelled at the last minute following an order from the European Court of Human Rights.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has previously described the court’s decision as politically motivated while Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said it was wrong for the injunction to be granted.
London
More than 12,000 people have reached the UK so far this year by crossing the English Channel in small boats, according to figures collected by the PA news agency.
The milestone comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not give a figure by which Channel crossings needed to come down before the government’s Rwanda migrant policy could be declared a success.
According to figures of the Ministry of Defence, 231 people were intercepted in five boats crossing the Channel on Friday, June 24.
This brings the total of people reaching the country for the year to 12,159.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today on the effectiveness of the Rwanda policy, Johnson: “I’m not going to give you a figure.”
The busiest week for Channel crossings so far this year was April 11 to 17, when 1,792 people were brought to shore - but the busiest seven-day period was 2,076 people who crossed in the seven days to April 19.
Crossings have continued despite the threat of asylum seekers being sent to Rwanda under new British Home Office plans.
However, the first flight to Rwanda, planned for last June 14, was cancelled at the last minute following an order from the European Court of Human Rights.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has previously described the court’s decision as politically motivated while Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said it was wrong for the injunction to be granted.
