Nearly 700 migrants tried to cross the English Channel on Monday - the highest number on a single day this year - bringing total to more than 17,000 for 2022

  • Some 696 made the journey in 14 boats on Monday, the Ministry of Defence said
  • It is only the second time in 2022 that the daily figure has topped 600
  • The cumulative number of crossings this year now stands at a total of 17,095

Almost 700 migrants have crossed the Channel to the UK in a single day - a record for the year so far.

Some 696 made the journey in 14 boats on Monday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

This is the highest number on a single day so far this year, and only the second time in 2022 the daily figure has topped 600. The previous highest number was 651, on April 13.

The cumulative number of crossings this year now stands at a provisional total of 17,095.

At the equivalent point in 2021, the cumulative total was just under 9,500.

The highest number ever seen crossing in a single day came on November 11 last year, when 1,185 were intercepted by border patrols. 

Large groups of migrants, including young children, were seen being brought ashore in Ramsgate yesterday before leaving the Kent port on double-decker buses.

The cumulative number of crossings this year now stands at a provisional total of 17,134

The cumulative number of crossings this year now stands at a provisional total of 17,095

Several hundred migrants, including young children, were brought ashore in Ramsgate on Monday

Several hundred migrants, including young children, were brought ashore in Ramsgate on Monday

Some 3,683 made the crossing on 90 boats in July, the highest monthly total this year, with journeys taking place on 20 of the month's 31 days, according to PA news agency analysis of government figures

 Some 3,683 made the crossing on 90 boats in July, the highest monthly total this year, with journeys taking place on 20 of the month's 31 days, according to PA news agency analysis of government figures

Large groups of people, including some wrapped in blankets, were seen leaving the Kent port on a double decker bus yesterday

Large groups of people, including some wrapped in blankets, were seen leaving the Kent port on a double decker bus yesterday

Migrant arrivals have been diverted from Dover to Ramsgate in recent days while heavy traffic on the roads and at sea was anticipated. 

A decision will be made in the coming days on whether the move is reintroduced at the weekend. 

The influx came amid reports the Home Secretary could announce another multimillion-pound deal with France in a bid to curb Channel crossings. 

On April 14, Priti Patel signed what she described as a 'world-first' agreement with Rwanda under which the east African nation will receive migrants deemed by the UK to have arrived 'illegally' and are therefore inadmissible under new immigration rules.

But the first deportation flight - due to take off on June 14 - was grounded amid legal challenges.

Several asylum seekers, the Public and Commercial Services union and charities Care4Calais, Detention Action and Asylum Aid are challenging the legality of the Home Office policy, with the next court hearings due in September and October.

Now, Ms Patel is intending to pay the French tens of millions of pounds for more beach patrols and surveillance equipment, in addition to more than £80 million already provided over the last few years, according to The Times.

Nearly 12,000 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel since the plans - designed to try and deter migrants from making the journey - were first unveiled.

A Government spokesperson said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws, but they risk lives and hinder our ability to help refugees who come to the UK through safe and legal routes.

'The Nationality and Borders Act will enable us to crack down on abuse of the system and the evil people smugglers, who will now be subject to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

'Under our new Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda, we are continuing preparations to relocate those who are making dangerous, unnecessary and illegal journeys into the UK in order for their claims to be considered and rebuild their lives.'

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