Around 70 per cent of irregular migrants arriving into the UK since 2018 have been adult men and just under one-fifth (19 per cent) of detected irregular arrivals have been children aged 17 and under, according to the Home Office.
Albanians were the top nationality detected arriving by small boat in the year ending September 2022 (12,024 arrivals), but their numbers have since declined to only 559 small boat arrivals in the year ending September 2024.
According to the Home Office, 5,074 were forced returns of people with no legal right to remain in the UK, up 24 per cent between 5 July last year and 31 January, compared with 4,089 forced returns in the previous 12-month period.
Just under one-sixth, 15 per cent, of detected irregular arrivals in the year ending September 2024 were Afghans, the nationality in the top 5 for all 4 entry methods.
The large number of 2022 arrivals was in part influenced by an agreement between the UK and Albania to deter and disrupt irregular migration and criminal networks, according to the Home Office.
