Labour's Policing Minister has acknowledged that current figures for small boat arrivals across the Channel are "really disappointing" whilst maintaining that her Government has developed a comprehensive strategy to address the crisis.

The milestone of 50,000 arrivals since Labour assumed power has prompted the minister to outline an extensive action plan.

Dame Diana Johnson told GB News: “I think we know what the problem is, and it's this Government that’s actually now introducing a range of measures to try and tackle the gangs.

Dame Diana Johnson said the numbers are "really disappointing"

“The previous Government were in power for six years, and they allowed these gangs to get really entrenched and their networks really embedded.

“It's going to take us a bit of time, and obviously, the figures are really disappointing at the moment, but we do have a plan.

“We have a range of measures to try and tackle the smugglers, to go after their money, to deal with the French, to work with the French in a positive way, to return people.

“You'll know that agreement was reached just a few weeks ago.

“And we're also getting the French to look at what they do on the beaches, because when I was over in northern France, it was quite clear the French would not get involved if individuals were in small boats.

"As soon as they were in shallow water in a boat, the police would not get involved.

“They're now looking to change that tactic, which, again, will be really helpful. So a whole range of measures. We’re the ones actually delivering on that.

“The previous Government had one scheme, Rwanda. Four people went voluntarily, £700million was spent.

“And they saw, I think it was about 88 or 84,000 people came while that Rwanda scheme was actually in place.

“So it's this Government that's actually going to deliver on this.”

The minister outlined additional measures targeting the financial networks of smuggling operations.

Plans include establishing a dedicated border command with counter-terrorism capabilities and legislation to criminalise social media advertisements promoting illegal crossings.

“There's no one silver bullet for this,” Dame Johnson explained.

GB News statistics reveal the scale of the challenge confronting the Government.

Since Labour's electoral victory, more than 50,000 individuals have reached British shores via small boat crossings, with Monday's arrivals adding 474 people to the total.

Since Labour's electoral victory, more than 50,000 individuals have reached British shores

The figures for 2025 paint a stark picture of escalating numbers. With 27,029 people arriving by small boat thus far this year, the statistics represent a substantial rise compared to previous years.

This marks a 47 per cent surge from the corresponding period in 2024, when 18,342 individuals made the crossing.

The increase becomes even more pronounced when compared to 2023's figures, showing a 67 per cent jump from the 16,170 arrivals recorded during the same timeframe that year.