PM celebrates as small boat arrivals witness unprecedented drop, paving the way for election triumph

In a surprising twist hailed as a significant win for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, statistics reveal a groundbreaking reduction in the number of annual migrants crossing the Channel. The sharp decline in small boat arrivals, down by over a third from the previous year, is poised to become a central theme in Sunak’s upcoming election campaign.

Home Office figures disclose that in 2023, illegal migrant crossings reached 29,437, marking a remarkable 36% decrease from the record-breaking 45,774 crossings in 2022.

Sunak, who has prioritized curbing small boat arrivals, lauds a successful half-billion-pound deal with France, focusing on bolstering beach patrols. Despite setbacks with his Rwanda plan, Sunak emphasizes return agreements with countries like Albania, resulting in a substantial decrease in migrants originating from the Balkan state.

While experts caution that the dip in 2023 might be a temporary anomaly, Lucy Moreton, the immigration services union boss, warns that unforeseen factors, such as high winds and larger, more seaworthy boats, may contribute to the statistical glitch.

As the political landscape gears up for the election year, the PM‘s small boats win is poised to take center stage. The effectiveness of border control strategies and the impact on immigration numbers will undoubtedly become a key focus in the battle for No10.