"The number of migrants crossing the English Channel by boat is small - it pales in comparison to those making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean - but there has been a small spike in crossings in recent months."
See: Who rescues migrants in the Channel? (BBC News, link):
“In 2018, the Home Office says 539 people attempted to travel to the UK on small boats. Of these, 434 (around 80%) made their attempts in the last three months of the year.
Of the 539, 227 (42%) were intercepted by the French before they made it to the UK.
Now, a Royal Navy patrol ship has been sent to deter them – but when people do cross, who is responsible for rescuing them?”