Clear majority of people crossing Channel are refugees, says UNHCR

UN agency says most arriving in UK by small boat should not be called migrants, in challenge to Priti Patel

The UN refugee agency has said a clear majority" of people arriving in the UK by small boats across the Channel should be considered to be refugees, in a challenge to the home secretary, Priti Patel.

Patel told MPs and peers last year that 70% of people making the crossing were single men who are effectively economic migrants", and the government has repeatedly referred to them as migrants".