Connect with us

Published

on

An analyst predicts that Ether may outperform Bitcoin in January 2025, IRS introduces new DeFi rules, and more: Hodlers Digest

Continue Reading

Politics

More than 36,000 migrants crossed English Channel to UK in 2024 – up 25% on 2023

Published

on

By

More than 36,000 migrants crossed English Channel to UK in 2024 - up 25% on 2023

A total of 36,816 migrants crossed the English Channel to the UK in 2024, provisional government figures show.

The figure is up 25% on 2023 when 29,437 people arrived in small boats.

The number successfully making the journey in 2024 is the second-highest since records began in 2018. The total, however, is down 20% on the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.

The number of people who died while making the hazardous journey across the busiest shipping lane in the world was not published in the Home Office data, though 2024 was considered the deadliest for Channel crossings.

According to the French coastguard 53 people died across the 12 months.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘I was totally lost because of panic’, man who crossed Channel told Sky’s John Sparks.

The number of people who have made the crossing has jumped significantly in recent years.

In 2018, when the figures were first collated, there were 299 people who arrived, in 2019 there were 1,843 which more than quadrupled to 8,466 in 2020 before tripling to 28,526 individuals in 2021.

More on Migrant Crossings

Those fleeing countries such as Ukraine and Afghanistan have safe and legal routes to the UK open to them.

Refugees recognised by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and close family members of refugees can apply to legally settle in the UK, as can people escaping Hong Kong.

Others can arrive via alternative routes, but these are sometimes illegal and can rely on criminal gangs and people smugglers.

The last crossings of the year took place on 29 December, when 291 people made the journey from France in six boats.

Weather is a large determinant of whether people risk the voyage. Stormy weather means fewer take a chance, while calmer conditions see more boats launching.

Read more:
What can we expect in 2025?
Afghan women dream of life free from the Taliban in 2025

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”

The National Crime Agency said it has around 70 live investigations into organised immigration crime or human trafficking.

Both biggest UK political parties have vowed to bring down the number of people crossing the Channel with Labour saying they’ll “smash the gangs”.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak made stopping small boat crossings one of the five key pledges of his premiership.

Continue Reading

Politics

Illegal crypto ads prevail in UK despite FCA warning

Published

on

By

Illegal crypto ads prevail in UK despite FCA warning

Only 54% of the 1,702 alerts issued by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority resulted in illegal crypto ads being taken down.

Continue Reading

Politics

Hive Digital moves HQ to Texas, citing supportive climate under Trump

Published

on

By

Hive Digital moves HQ to Texas, citing supportive climate under Trump

Bitcoin miner Hive Digital will move its headquarters from Vancouver, Canada, to Texas, saying Donald Trump will make Bitcoin mining great again.

Continue Reading

Trending