LONDON, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The second-highest annual number of migrants arrived on UK shores in small boats since records were started in 2018, the government was to confirm Thursday. The tally comes as Brexit firebrand Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party Reform UK surges in popularity ahead of bellwether local elections in May. - Protests -The small boat figures come after Home Secretary Mahmood in November said irregular migration was "tearing our country apart". "Our landmark one-in one-out scheme means we can now send those who arrive on small boats back to France," he said. The past year has seen multiple protests in UK towns over the housing of migrants in hotels.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 01, 2026 07:56 UTC