UK Rwanda asylum plan under fire as rising numbers cross Channel

MoD says 696 people made journey in small boats on Monday, as concerns grow over government response

The number of people crossing the Channel in small boats to seek refuge in the UK hit a record for the year so far on Monday, as Border Force staff braced themselves for thousands more arrivals this summer.

The Ministry of Defence said 696 made the journey in 14 small boats on Monday. There were 460 arrivals on Saturday and 247 on Friday, with more than 1,000 people crossing last week.