British views on small boat migrants revealed in new poll

The number of small migrant boats crossing the Channel is at a record high for this time of the year. Migrants on a small boat are leaving a beach in northern France for the UK. A poll conducted for The Sunday Times revealed that 61% of Britons believe France is not doing enough to stop the boats, while 12% think France is doing enough and 13% believe it is not Paris' responsibility.

When asked about the main reasons people decide to board the small boats for the UK, 54% of respondents cited accessing the British welfare system as the most likely reason. The second most popular reasons were the belief that it is easier to be granted asylum in the UK than elsewhere (49%) and fleeing conflict (37%).

Reasons like wanting to be reunited with family or friends and speaking English for easier communication received fewer votes - 13% and 12% respectively. The poll, conducted by the More in Common think tank exclusively for The Sunday Times, surveyed around 2,100 British adults (excluding Northern Ireland) between July 22 and 24. A focus group in Plymouth included Peter, a dockyard manager, who described Britain as a 'soft touch' because migrants are entitled to healthcare, food, and shelter as soon as they land on UK shores. He suggested that the UK offers more than most European countries and called for harder borders, potentially taking cues from the US or Australia. 'Seems harsh, but the country is on its knees,' he said.

More than 23,500 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel in 2025, setting a record for this time of the year.

According to the source: Daily Express.