Around 500 migrants reportedly arrived in the UK by small boat during a single week, including 165 people carried on one large inflatable vessel described as a “mega dinghy”. The article focuses on political criticism of Andy Burnham, arguing that he has not explained how he would prevent such crossings.

The reported 165-person crossing highlights the increasing capacity of some boats used on the Channel route and the risks involved in transporting large numbers of people at sea. The article presents the week’s total as evidence of continued pressure on the Government’s small-boats policy, while framing the issue through criticism of Burnham’s stance.