A total of 36,816 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats in 2024, a rise of 25 per cent from 2023.
Dozens of people have died trying to make the treacherous journey from France in what has been the deadliest year since the crisis began in 2018.
The numbers travelling to the Kent coast last year are down 20 per cent on the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
But 2024 saw the second highest number of arrivals in a year since 2018.
The jump in crossings came in a year that former prime minister Rishi Sunak had to accept he failed to meet his vow to “stop the boats” when the Conservatives were defeated by Labour in the general election.
Labour has vowed to double down on its plans to “smash the gangs” by creating new powers for law enforcement agencies to tackle, investigate and prosecute organised immigration crime.
The last crossings of the year took place on December 29, when 291 people arrived France in six boats.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency which tracks the number of people who die crossing the Channel, says 77 people have died attempting to make the journey this year.
Last week, three people died following an incident off the coast at Sangatte, near Calais, in which 45 people were rescued after struggling to board a small boat.
(This story is being updated)