Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing increased scrutiny over immigration following the arrival of more than 500 migrants via small boats in his first week in office. Sources reported that one dinghy, measuring approximately 12 meters (40 feet) in length, carried 165 individuals, setting a new record for a single crossing. In total, six vessels crossed the English Channel in the past week, with some critics labeling them "Burnham's boats."

The influx of arrivals occurred as the Prime Minister was in Manchester launching a new initiative. Home Office data released this week indicated that while the total number of small-boat arrivals for the year is down over 40 percent compared to the previous year, experts caution that crossings could increase. Over 13,000 migrants have arrived via small boats so far this year.

Critics, including Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage, have accused Burnham of failing to address the issue, with Farage stating, "'Open borders Burnham' will do nothing to stop the illegal and dangerous invasion of our country, he won’t even mention it." The Conservative Party's shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, also criticized the new administration, asserting that "only the Conservative Party have a plan to end Channel crossings by leaving the ECHR [European Convention on Human Rights] and deporting all illegal immigrants within a week of arrival."

Lord Glasman, founder of the Blue Labour group, urged Burnham to adopt a more assertive approach, suggesting, "What's happening here is absolutely outrageous. I’ve been in favour for a long time of putting the Royal Navy in the Channel and literally stopping the boats... we’ve got to have a much more aggressive policy towards the French government."

Data from the Home Office shows that small-boat migrants accounted for only 7 percent of deportations last year, suggesting that the majority of those arriving do not face removal. In recent days, 172 migrants were recorded on Wednesday, followed by 366 on Thursday. The latter figure, spread across three boats, averaged 122 people per vessel, with one boat carrying 165.

Since the Labour Party's election victory in July 2024, more than 77,000 migrants have arrived in the UK via Channel crossings. The total number of arrivals since records began in 2018 exceeds 200,000.

A Home Office spokesperson stated that "Removals of small-boat migrants are at record levels and asylum claims down by 12 per cent."