Migrants: Ninety people cross Channel on Christmas Day

A lifeboat returns to the Port of Dover during a rescue operation earlier this month

Ninety people crossed the English Channel in two small boats on Christmas Day, the Ministry of Defence said.

More than 45,000 migrants have made the perilous crossing from France to England so far this year. In 2021, the figure was far less, at almost 28,500.

On 14 December, four people died and 39 others were rescued after a migrant boat ran into difficulties.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has labelled the small boats crisis a priority for his premiership.

The 90 people who arrived on Sunday were taken to Western Jet Foil processing centre in Dover, the ministry confirmed.

A government spokesperson said: "Nobody should put their lives at risk by taking dangerous and illegal journeys.

"We will go further to tackle the gangs driving this, using every tool at our disposal to deter illegal migration and disrupt the business model of people smugglers.''

Earlier this month, Mr Sunak announced a range of measures to tackle the issue including 700 staff for a new unit to monitor small boats crossing the Channel.

He also promised more staff to help clear some of the UK's backlog of asylum cases by the end of next year.