More than 45,000 migrants crossed the English Channel to the United Kingdom from mainland Europe in 2022, surpassing the previous year's record by more than 17,000, according to British government figures released on Sunday.
The issue has become a huge political problem for the Conservative government, which has promised to curb illegal immigration and dismantle the smuggling gangs that carry out the crossings.
A total of 45,756 people made the small boat crossing through the world's busiest shipping lane last year, compared to 28,526 in 2021.
Four people died last month when a small boat full of migrants capsized in freezing temperatures in the English Channel.
A fishing boat rescued 43 people a year ago and at least 27 people drowned when their dinghy capsized, a disaster that sparked outrage on both sides of the English Channel.
2022 also saw the highest daily number of migrants crossing ever, with 1,295 making the journey on August 22.
