Almost 500 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Saturday, according to the latest Home Office figures. The latest figures first reported show 492 migrants crossed the waterway in nine vessels, suggesting an average of about 54 per vessel.

One hundred and seven arrived on Wednesday, 125 on Monday and 703 last Sunday (August 11), the numbers show. The Dover Strait, occupied by enormous ferries, is described as having the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

The provisional total for the year is now at 19,066, according to Sky News. The weather has played an important part in the numbers, with calmer, less windy conditions over recent days making the journey from Calais to the Kent coast possible.

Last Sunday's figure was the highest number of daily crossings since Sir Keir Starmer became prime minister in July.

The Home Office recorded 703 people arriving in 11 boats, which would suggest an average of 64 people per vessel.

The highest number of arrivals recorded in a single day so far this year was 882 on June 18, with the second highest logged on May 1 (711), both under the previous government before the general election.

Downing Street said last week that Channel crossings will likely become more common over the summer when the number of arrivals is typically higher amid better weather conditions.

Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly has accused Labour of sending the wrong signal by ditching the previous Conservative government's Rwanda policy, which former ministers had argued could deter Channel crossings.

The Tory leadership contender said people were dying in the Channel as a direct result of Labour "incompetence" and "appalling decision-making".

The Labour Government has vowed to smash the gangs helping migrants enter the UK and create a new Border Security Command.

Ministers are in the final stages of recruiting a boss for the new team, according to reports.

The successful candidate will command not only the new border squad, but also a salary between £140,000 to £200,000.

Mr Cleverly pointed to six weeks having passed with no sign of the "phantom border command" or a single gang "smashed".

A Government spokesperson accused the Tories of leaving "utter chaos" in Britain's immigration and asylum system, adding: "They spent hundreds of millions on their Rwanda gimmick which only ever sent four volunteers and neglected our border security.

"A Labour government is replacing gimmick with grip."