Explore the latest UK small boat crossings statistics, including daily, weekly, monthly and yearly figures for migrants arrived and boats arrived across the English Channel. This dashboard uses Home Office small boat arrival data dating back to 2018 and is updated with the latest available figures.
Latest Data: 12 October 2026
20,943
Migrants Arrived in 2026
-42.36%
vs the same period in 2025
1,739
Migrants Arrived in October 2026
+126.43%
vs the same period in September 2026
0
Migrants Arrived from 12 to 18 October 2026
-100.00%
vs the same period from 5 to 11 October 2026
0
Migrants Arrived on 13 October 2026
0.00%
vs previous day (12 October 2026)
781
Highest number of migrants arrived in a single day in 2026, recorded on 23 September 2026.
1,912
Highest number of migrants arrived in a single day in 2026, recorded on 15 – 21 June 2026.
85,657
Total migrants arrived by small boat since labour took office on 5 July 2024.
8,474
Total migrants arrived by small boat since PM Andy Burnham took office on 20 July 2026.
£140,274,585.00
Estimate based on £55 per person per night, using current-year small boat arrival data. This is a modelled estimate, not an official government figure.
213,553
This figure shows the total recorded small boat arrivals to the UK. The data is based on daily Home Office small boat arrival figures.
| Date | Migrants | Boats |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Oct 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 Oct 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 Oct 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 09 Oct 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 08 Oct 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 07 Oct 2026 | 119 | 2 |
| 06 Oct 2026 | 338 | 5 |
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
10
291
3164
4418
5609
6338
7119
80
90
100
110
120
13-
14-
15-
16-
17-
18-
19-
20-
21-
22-
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-
29-
30-
31-
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
10
21
32
45
58
65
72
80
90
100
110
120
13-
14-
15-
16-
17-
18-
19-
20-
21-
22-
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-
29-
30-
31-
41,472
Migrants Arrived in 2025
2,691
Migrants Arrived in September 2026
1,066
Migrants Arrived from 5 to 11 October 2026
3,662
Migrants Arrived from 14 September to 14 October 2026
Small Boat Crossings Latest News
Small Boat Crossings FAQs
What are small boat crossings?
Small boat crossings refers to people arriving in the UK after travelling across the English Channel in small boats.
When did small boat crossings start?
The small boat arrivals data used by this dashboard goes back to 1 January 2018. The Home Office publishes daily small boat arrival figures covering the period from 2018 onwards.
Where does the Small Boat Crossings data come from?
The Small Boat Crossings dashboard uses published UK government data from the Home Office and Border Force. The underlying data records migrants arrived, boats arrived and boats involved in uncontrolled landings.
How often is the small boat arrivals data updated?
The Home Office publishes data for the latest seven days each day. The longer historical time series is updated weekly, normally on Friday. The figures are provisional and can be revised as the underlying data is updated.
How many migrants arrived by small boat today?
The dashboard shows the latest available daily figure for migrants arriving in the UK by small boat. The figure can change as new data is published or existing figures are revised.
How many small boat crossings were recorded in 2026?
The dashboard shows the total number of migrants recorded as arriving by small boat during 2026. This figure is updated as new daily data becomes available, so the current-year total can change throughout the year.
How many small boat crossings were recorded in 2025?
The dashboard shows the number of migrants recorded as arriving by small boat during 2025. The figure is based on the published small boat arrivals data for that calendar year.
How many small boat crossings were recorded this week?
The dashboard provides the latest weekly small boat arrival figures, showing the number of migrants recorded as arriving during the current week. Weekly totals can change as new daily figures are published.
How many small boat migrants have arrived this year?
The dashboard shows the number of migrants recorded as arriving in the UK by small boat since the start of the current calendar year. The total is updated as new daily data becomes available.
How many small boat arrivals have there been this year?
The dashboard shows the total number of recorded small boat arrivals during the current calendar year. The figure is based on the latest available daily data and may be revised as the official data is updated.
Are small boat crossings down?
Small boat arrival numbers can vary considerably over time and are affected by factors including weather and crossing conditions. Comparisons should take the time period into account, as the Home Office advises that short-period and different seasonal comparisons can be misleading.
Are small boat crossings illegal?
The Home Office classifies entering the UK without valid permission as an illegal entry route. Small boat arrivals are included within these statistics. However, an individual arriving by small boat may subsequently claim asylum or obtain lawful status in the UK, so the term refers to the route of entry rather than the eventual immigration status of every person recorded.
What happens to the boats used by migrants?
Boats and engines used in organised immigration crime can be seized by law enforcement. The National Crime Agency and its partners have reported seizing boats and engines to prevent them from being used by people-smuggling networks. The treatment of individual boats can depend on the circumstances and the legal process involved.