More than 700 migrants have arrived across the Channel in just one day - the highest level seen so far this year.

The Home Office confirmed 710 migrants arrived from northern France on Monday.

They were picked up mid-Channel from 11 dinghies and brought into Dover by UK Border Force.

The previous highest daily total for 2026 was 610 on February 25.

Monday's tally was also the largest since December 20 last year, when 803 arrived. 

The highest daily total ever recorded remains 1,305 seen on a day in September 2022.

The latest crossings came after a full two weeks with no arrivals at all.

French rescuers used a buoyancy aid to help save migrants who got into trouble trying to cross the Channel on Monday.

A group of around 40 men and children were attempting to wade out to an inflatable off the coast of Calais.

Some quickly became submerged and needed assistance from the French fire service and a lifeboat.

Police used pepper spray to corral the group, while some had to be pursued in vehicles after they fled.

The dinghy was forced to leave without picking up anyone and a number of migrants were arrested.

A total of 9,852 migrants have arrived so far this year compared with 16,545 in the same period last year.

Rough seas in the Channel appear to have played a role in reducing this year's running total. 

It comes despite a £660million three-year deal with the French government to increase beach patrols.

Signed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in April it includes an unconditional £500million to pay for beach patrols in France, plus £160million in performance-related funding. 

Alp Mehmet, chairman of charity Migration Watch UK, said French authorities have appeared to lack the motivation needed to prevent crossings.

'We have given the French around three-quarters of a billion pounds since 2014/15 to stop illegal migrants,' he said. 'We deserve a refund.'

Alex Norris, minister for border security and asylum, said: 'Our work with France is cracking down on small boat launches and stopping the criminal smuggling gangs in their tracks.'

Border security commander Charlie Eastaugh, of the Home Office Small Boats Command, said: 'Thanks to the excellent co-operation between the UK and France, for the first time ever French law enforcement officers are carrying out operations against small boats at sea.'

Last week, Sudanese asylum seeker Alnour Mohamed Ali, 26, was jailed for two years and three months after being caught in charge of a dangerously overcrowded small boat bound for Britain.

Shocking drone footage seen in court showed French authorities handing out life jackets to the migrants on board the boat but failing to intervene.