Home Office anticipates migrant boat arrivals in Dover over next 12 years
- The Home Office is seeking private companies to manage migrant arrivals at the Western Jet Foil and Manston processing centre, with contracts starting in January 2026.
- The number of migrants arriving in the UK has risen, with 27,225 recorded in 2024, despite ongoing efforts to combat people smuggling.
- The long-term contracts raise doubts about the effectiveness of political promises to address the issue of illegal crossings.
In the UK, the Home Office is preparing for continued small boat crossings of the English Channel for over a decade, as evidenced by contracts worth more than £520 million being advertised for managing migrant arrivals. These contracts, set to begin in January 2026 and run until January 2032, include provisions for security, healthcare, catering, accommodation, and transportation at the Western Jet Foil in Dover and the Manston processing centre. This move raises questions about the effectiveness of political promises to combat people smuggling gangs, particularly those made by Sir Keir Starmer. Despite ongoing efforts to dismantle these criminal networks, the number of migrants arriving in the UK has increased, with 27,225 recorded in 2024 so far, a 5% rise compared to the previous year. The situation is compounded by social media, where individuals like asylum seeker Mada Pasa have gained notoriety for posting videos of their attempts to cross the Channel, further highlighting the challenges faced by authorities. The Home Office maintains its commitment to addressing the issue, emphasizing the need for a secure environment for processing arrivals while acknowledging the ongoing exploitation of vulnerable individuals by smuggling gangs.