New figures have revealed 7,167 asylum-seekers crossed the English Channel into Dover in the first four months of the year, the highest ever level.

During the same period last year, January 1 and April 27, 5,745 people arrived in the UK via small boats. Previously, the record was 6,691 in 2022.

The figures, reported by Sky News, come as the Rwanda Bill was passed on April 22.

The UK’s Rwanda plan aims to send asylum seekers to the east African nation to deter others from crossing the English Channel on small boats.

Rishi Sunak says the first flights will take off in July.

The Prime Minister said this week “nothing will stand in our way” of getting flights off the ground as the government braced itself for legal challenges to the scheme.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.

Earlier this week, at least five people have died attempting to cross the Channel, according to reports. A child, woman and three men are understood to have died.