MORE than 25,000 migrants have arrived across the Channel so far this year.

A record number of people have come to the UK on small boats this year despite Labour’s promise to crackdown on the crossings.

Some 898 people made the journey in 13 boats on Wednesday, bringing the total for 2025 so far to 25,436, Home Office figures show.

The figure is up 51 per cent on this point last year, and is 73 per cent higher than in 2023.

It is the earliest point in the year that the 25,000 mark has been passed since the crisis began in 2018.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage slammed the fresh data from yesterday, saying: “This means more hotels, more costs and more people who should not be here.

“The public have had enough.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.

“The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.

“That is why this government has put together a serious plan to take down these networks at every stage.

“Through international intelligence sharing under our Border Security Command, enhanced enforcement operations in Northern France and tougher legislation in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, we are strengthening international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal gangs whilst strengthening the security of our borders.”

The grim milestone comes amid growing anger over the housing of asylum seekers in taxpayer funded hotels and flats.

Last night more protests took place over “secret” plans to house migrants in a brand new block in Waterlooville, Hampshire.

Disgruntled locals took to the streets after Home Office plans to relocate 35 asylum seekers to a development in the city centre were revealed.

More than 1,000 residents gathered for a peaceful gathering on Wednesday night.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman, the MP for Fareham and Waterlooville praised protesters and said in a statement: “Very proud of the people of Waterlooville tonight.

“To the thousands of local people who peacefully protested, you speak for millions.

“Zero offences, arrests and no disorder. You’re not far-right. You just love our country and are willing to stand up for it. Thank you.

“To the Home Office and Havant Borough Council, we say: no. Thank you to the police for keeping everyone safe.”

‘IT’S INSULTING TO LOCAL PEOPLE’

In a letter to Yvette Cooper, the Labour Secretary of State, Ms Braverman described the proposal as “insulting to local people”.

She wrote: “This plan will dump further pressure on policing, healthcare and public infrastructure, all while ignoring the legitimate concerns of residents who have been left voiceless.

“Our town has undergone a transformation and become a welcoming place to work, invest, shop, dine and play.

“Decisions such as yours will once again make our town centres no-go zones for the patriotic, common-sense majority.”

The MP also stated on her website: “This site, in the centre of our town, is utterly inappropriate for migrant accommodation. It must be stopped.”

The consultation ends on Friday August 1, after which the Home Office will decide whether to approve the plans.

A Home Office spokeswoman previously said it was in “active dialogue” with the local authority and added: “We are working to fairly disperse asylum seekers across the country, consulting closely with local authorities and listening to local concerns.”

Another protest is planned in Epping, Essex tonight over the housing of asylum seekers in a the Bell Hotel.