Ninety people crossed the Channel in two small boats on Christmas Day.

It takes the total to more than 45,000 migrants who have made the perilous crossing from France to England so far this year.

In 2021, the figure was far less, at almost 28,500, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Just two weeks ago four people died and 39 others were rescued after a migrant boat ran into difficulties.

Video footage showed the terrifying weather conditions the migrants faced as they tried to get to the UK.

On Christmas Day last year, at least 67 people were rescued trying to cross the sea.

Border Force agents were pictured bringing the groups into Dover in the early hours of Christmas Day.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has labelled the small boats crisis a priority for his premiership.

A government spokesperson said: ‘Nobody should put their lives at risk by taking dangerous and illegal journeys.

‘We will go further to tackle the gangs driving this, using every tool at our disposal to deter illegal migration and disrupt the business model of people smugglers.’

The people who arrived on Sunday were taken to Western Jet Foil processing centre in Dover, the ministry confirmed.

Earlier this month, Mr Sunak announced a range of measures to tackle the issue including 700 staff for a new unit to monitor small boats crossing the Channel.

He also promised more staff to help clear some of the UK’s backlog of asylum cases by the end of next year.

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