An alarming analysis reveals that the number of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom via illegal boat routes has now surpassed the total number of active personnel in the British Armed Forces.
Since December 2018, over 181,326 migrants have entered the UK through what is commonly referred to as the small boats route, according to figures analyzed by Migration Watch. This influx exceeds the current strength of the British Armed Forces, which stands at 180,779 personnel, a number that continues to decline.
As reported by Breitbart, Migration Watch highlights a concerning trend: the majority of these migrants are "military age men" between 18 and 39 years old. The think tank warns that this significant influx of unvetted males poses a potential threat to national security.
Alp Mehmet, Chairman of Migration Watch, expressed his concerns, stating, "Military age men are pouring into Britain across the Channel. Enforcing a border is the most basic responsibility of a government, but Keir Starmer has failed to do even that. Illegal Channel crossing are now a major political crisis, and pose a real and present threat to our national security."
The British Armed Forces, according to a recent Parliamentary report, consist of 77 percent full-time service personnel and an additional 17 percent in volunteer reserves. The British Army remains the largest force with approximately 82,000 soldiers, followed by the Royal Navy with 33,000 personnel, and the Royal Air Force with 32,000.
The data from Migration Watch underscores the ongoing challenge Britain faces with illegal migration. Despite the country's extensive experience with this issue, the reality remains that very few migrants are ever deported.
The Oxford Universitys Migration Observatory notes that nearly all individuals arriving by smuggler boats remain in the UK, with a mere three percent having been returned home as of 2024. Furthermore, 68 percent of these migrants have their asylum applications granted, highlighting the complexities of the current immigration system.
This situation raises pressing questions about the effectiveness of current immigration policies and the government's ability to secure national borders. The comparison between the number of migrants and military personnel serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the UK in addressing illegal immigration and ensuring national security.
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