Dover saw the arrival of the 2022 migrants. They shouted “we love you UK” as 40 immigrants, one baby, and five others were brought ashore by RNLI.

According to eyewitnesses, they were seen by Border Force officers being led up the Gangway before being taken off at 10.45 am.

A man and woman were among those who arrived, with a baby wrapped in blankets. Another man was carrying a little girl in pink onesie. 

A brief weather window brought about calmer sea conditions, which allowed the group to be the first to travel the 21-mile treacherous journey.

On December 27, 36 individuals in one boat made the last crossing. 

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly, which will make crossings more difficult over the coming two weeks.    

This crossing was made by a record 28,381 individuals last year, surpassing the 8,410 people who attempted the treacherous journey in 2020.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought ashore in Dover, Kent, by the RNLI following a small boat incident in the Channel this morning

Following a Channel Channel small-boat incident this morning, a number of suspected migrants have been brought ashore at Dover by the RNLI.

A man carries a small child as they are brought into Dover, Kent, this morning. The group are the first to make the treacherous 21-mile journey this year

This morning, Dover, Kent’s man and woman carry a baby. This group is the first to travel the treacherous 21 miles this year.

People wearing life jackets are seen being escorted by UK Border Force officials as they arrive at the Port of Dover in the first Channel crossing of 2022

Officials from the UK Border Force escort people wearing life jackets to the Port of Dover as they make their first Channel crossing in 2022.

The first migrants of 2022 arrived in Dover shouting 'we love you UK' as the RNLI (lifeboat pictured) brought around 40 people ashore

Dover saw the arrival of the 2022 migrants, shouting “we love UK”, as 40 migrants were brought ashore by the RNLI (photo pictured).

The final reading of the Nationality and Borders Bill by Priti Patel is passed in the Commons

Priti Patel’s Nationality and Borders Bill passed its third and final reading in the Commons last month, with 298 MPs voting for it while 231 voted against.

The Bill currently awaits the second reading by the House of Lords. It is scheduled to be held tomorrow. 

Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee previously wrote to the Home Secretary to express concerns over the legal basis of plans to return migrant boats to sea. This is part of the Bill.   

Peers stated that at the time, the letter added to “growing concern both inside and outside Parliament” over the so-called pushback policy. This was designed to discourage would-be refugees and migrants from crossing the Channel.  

It will, among other things, crack down on illegal immigration by granting fewer privileges for those who have arrived illegally as well as increasing the penalties for traffickers.

However, the greatest concern was caused by the idea of new powers to help migrant boats. 

Ms. Patel maintained that there was a legal basis for the plan when she was question by the October committee. This is despite numerous concerns over the legality of the plan and its effectiveness, which led to campaigners threatening her with legal action.

Matthew Rycroft, Home Office permanent secretary, had previously acknowledged that only a “small percentage” of boats could be returned.

The UK authorities intercepted at least 1,020 boats in the past twelve months. There were an average of 78 migrants entering three boats each day.

Last month, 1,770 individuals arrived by small boats, as opposed to only 211 in December 2020. 

However, November was the busiest month in terms of migrant arrivals. It saw a record 6,869 migrants arrive in the UK on 201 ships. This number is the highest since the Channel crisis.

These numbers reached their highest point on November 11, when 1131 migrants arrived via small boats in one day.

On November 24, 27 people, including women and children, died when their dinghy collided with the freezing water.

The largest death toll since the beginning of the crisis is known only to be two.

The year began relatively calmly for Channel crossings. However, the figures reached 1000 for the first-time in May with 1,619 boats arriving in 80 vessels.

The summer brought more record-breaking temperatures.

Total 2,179 passengers arrived in 92 vessels in June. In July, 3,509 were in 117 ships. In August, 3,012 took the dangerous trip on 110 boats. And in September, 4,646 traveled the same route in 159 boats.

As calm sea conditions continued, October saw 2 669 migrants arriving in 92 boats.

Tom Pursglove MP is Minister of Justice and Tackling Illegal Immigration. He stated that the people have been begging for reforms to the system for nearly 20 years. This Government has finally delivered.

“The Nationality and Borders Bill,” which was supported by most MPs in this month’s vote, makes it a crime to know that someone is trying to enter the UK illegally and imposes life imprisonment for anyone who assists illegal entry.

The House of Lords must pass this Bill within the next year. We will be able to stop the business model of people-smugglers, provide asylum for those who really need it, and swiftly remove anyone without a right.

Tomorrow’s House of Lords will see the second reading of Priti Palet’s Nationality and Borders Bill. It includes plans to return migrant boats to sea. 

Natalie Elphicke from Dover-Deal MP believes that taxpayers deserve a better deal after last year’s record numbers.

She stated that “over 28,000 migrants came across the English Channel in 2021.” It is quite shocking.

It is an enormous increase in prices compared to previous years. It is unacceptable and extremely expensive. 

A group of people are brought into Dover Marina by a lifeboat at around 10.45am this morning

At 10.45 am this morning, a group of people is brought to Dover Marina via a lifeboat

The group are the first to make the treacherous 21-mile journey this year due to a brief weather window which brought calmer conditions at sea

Because of a short weather window, which allowed for calmer sea conditions, this group was the first to travel the treacherous 21 miles.

Around 40 people including a baby and five children are brought ashore by the RNLI as the first migrants of 2022 arrive in Dover today

The RNLI brings in around 40 migrants, including a child and five children. These first 2022 migrants arrive at Dover today.

The last to make the Channel crossing came on December 27 when 36 people in one boat were detained (pictured: people arriving at the Port of Dover today)

On December 27, 36 people were taken into custody in a single boat and they made the Channel crossing. (Photo: People arriving at Port of Dover today).

“It is not fair that taxpayers will foot the bill for this year and years to follow in assessing claims and emergency housing, as well as other responsibilities.

‘Hardworking taxpayers deserve a better deal. It would be more efficient to spend money strengthening our borders.

“It is high time for small boat crossings to be stopped – stopping boats from leaving, returning boats to France, and making quick returns.

“People are already secure in France so it is not a reason for them to travel this dangerous route with people smugglers.”

MailOnline reached out the Home Office to request comment.

A group of people thought to be migrants are seen waving towards the camera as they are brought into Dover, Kent, by the RNLI following a small boat incident in the Channel

After a Channel Channel incident, a group of migrants can be seen wavering towards the camera.

The crossing follows a record-breaking 28,381 people making the journey last year - dwarfing the 8,410 who made the same treacherous trip in 2020.

This crossing was made by a record 28,381 individuals last year, surpassing the 8,410 people who attempted the treacherous journey in 2020.

A group of people thought to be migrants are escorted by Border Force officers after they were brought in to Dover, Kent, after crossing the Channel this morning

Border Force officers escort a group believed to be migrants after they are brought in to Dover (Kent) after having crossed the Channel.

A man carrying a small child is helped by a Border Force officer after they were brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel today

Following a Channel Today incident involving a small boat, an officer from the Border Force helps a father with his small child.