More than 1,000 migrants are thought to have crossed the English Channel on Saturday.

The figure is the biggest daily total since May, in which more than 1,195 migrants arrived in the UK in a single day. 

Saturday’s arrivals takes the total number of Channel arrivals so far this year to more than 30,000.

It also comes after it was revealed that Keir Starmer plans to close down migrant hotels and house residents in former military barracks. 

Currently, two former military bases – MDP Wethersfield in Essex and Napier Barracks in Folkestone – are being used to house asylum seekers.

They were opened under the previous Tory government, but pro-migrant groups criticised the move, comparing the barracks to prisons.

But Labour now intends to expand the Conservative policy, despite drawing up plans last year to end the use of the two sites. 

More than 1,000 migrants are thought to have crossed the English Channel on Saturday

The figure is the biggest daily total since May

Saturday’s arrivals takes the total number of Channel arrivals so far this year to more than 30,000

Keir Starmer has been under scrutiny lately regarding his immigration policies following new official statistics that reveal record-high asylum seeker claims, with a notable increase in migrants being accommodated in hotels compared to last year.

Labour MPs have called for Starmer to adopt a more radical stance, while Reform UK and the Conservatives have recently pledged to intensify the detention and deportation of migrants.

As per a regular assessment of voter concerns, immigration has surpassed the economy as the top issue, fueled by public anger over the record numbers of asylum seekers arriving via small boats across the Channel.

Last month, the government’s efforts were challenged when a council northeast of London obtained a temporary injunction to prevent asylum seekers from being housed in a hotel, following protests triggered by a resident being charged with sexual assault.

Other councils have indicated they would also seek similar court orders, while Reform leader Nigel Farage has called for more protests.

‘Labour has lost control of our borders and is mired in a migration crisis,’ remarked Chris Philp, the home affairs spokesperson for the leading opposition Conservative Party.

The latest migration figures revealed that over 32,000 asylum seekers were residing in hotels in Britain at the end of June this year, marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year.

Border Force escort migrants into Dover Docks, Kent. Border Force help them ashore on AUgust 26

igrants wade through the sea in an attempt to board an inflatable dinghy leaving the coast of northern France to cross the English Channel to reach Britain, from the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, August 25, 2025

A group of migrants on an inflatable dinghy leave the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain

Keir Starmer has faced criticism in recent weeks over his immigration policies after new official figures showed asylum seeker claims hitting a record high

The numbers arriving on small boats – up 38 percent in the year to June – have become the focal point for the migration issue

However, the total figure of just over 32,000 was 43 percent lower than the peak of 56,042 recorded in September 2023, and slightly down compared with the previous quarterly figures in March.

The figures also showed 111,000 people had claimed asylum in the year to June, up 14 percent from the previous year and surpassing the previous peak of 103,000 recorded in 2002.

The numbers arriving on small boats – up 38 percent in the year to June – have become the focal point for the migration issue.

Critics say the public are at risk from thousands of young men coming to Britain, while pro-migrant groups say the issue is being used by far right groups to exploit tensions.