Migrants continued crossing the English Channel in dinghies just hours after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham had claimed progress in curbing the crossings, undermining his comments and reigniting debate over the government's handling of small boat arrivals. The renewed crossings highlight the ongoing difficulty UK and French authorities face in stopping trafficking gangs, despite periodic claims of success from officials.

Hundreds of migrants were reported to have boarded dinghies bound for the UK shortly after Burnham's remarks, with people-smuggling operations continuing largely unabated. The crossings form part of a wider pattern this year of record boat traffic and growing scrutiny of enforcement efforts, with critics arguing that political statements about progress are frequently contradicted by events on the ground within hours or days.