Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Starmer's Government Sees Record Migrant Arrivals Amid Policy Shift

2/9/2026

50 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Britain recorded 65,922 small boat migrant arrivals in just over 19 months, surpassing 65,811 under Boris Johnson.
Channel crisis has persisted for nine years, with over 193,000 migrants reaching the UK.
Starmer's government scrapped the Rwanda deal and started a 'one in, one out' policy with France, but Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says returns remain about a dozen per week, expiring in June.

1 of 1

Story summary

Under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Britain recorded 65,922 small boat migrant arrivals in just over 19 months, surpassing 65,811 under Boris Johnson.
Channel crisis has persisted for nine years, with over 193,000 migrants reaching the UK.
Starmer's government scrapped the Rwanda deal and started a 'one in, one out' policy with France, but Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says returns remain about a dozen per week, expiring in June.