Has the UK government’s strategy on small boat crossings been effective?

Small boat crossings in the Channel have decreased by 43% from January to mid-July 2025, falling from 21,690 to 12,469. However, since Andy Burnham took power on 20 July, figures have slightly risen. Between 20 July and 2 August 2025, 1,962 people crossed, whereas more than 2,000 crossed during the same period last year. This data raises questions regarding the effectiveness of the UK government strategy in addressing the ongoing migration problem.