Somali small boat arrivals to UK rise 76%, government figures show

Tuesday September 8, 2026

London (HOL) — The number of Somali nationals recorded crossing the English Channel in small boats rose sharply over the past year, according to the latest UK government figures.

The figures show that 3,901 Somali nationals arrived in Britain by small boat between June 2025 and June 2026, a 76% increase compared with the previous year.

Somalis accounted for 12% of small boat arrivals during the period, making them one of the largest nationality groups recorded.

Eritreans were the largest group, accounting for 18% of arrivals, followed by Sudanese and Afghans at 13% each.

The UK government said the figures include only people detected or recorded crossing the Channel in small boats and do not cover all forms of illegal migration into the country.

During the same period, 5,875 Eritrean nationals and 4,191 Sudanese nationals were recorded arriving by small boat.

British authorities say many people attempting to cross the Channel first travel through European countries before reaching the French coast, where people-smuggling networks organize crossings to Britain.

Small boat migration has become a major political and public issue in the UK, with the government facing pressure to reduce irregular migration and dismantle smuggling networks operating across Europe.