LABOUR’S borders policy was blasted by campaigners today who warned that the government can end migrant deaths in 2025 after at least three people died trying to cross the Channel.

Ministers were urged to end the deaths “overnight” by introducing safe routes into Britain instead of blaming criminals “year after year.”

French authorities said 45 people were rescued after struggling to board a small boat bound for Britain this morning.

They confirmed the three deaths off the coast at Sangatte, near Calais. 

Four other people had been taken to hospital with hypothermia, the French Prefet Maritime for the Channel and the North Sea said.

They are the first deaths in the Channel since October and take the total number of people who have died attempting the crossing this year to at least 53 — more than one a week.

Care4Calais CEO Steve Smith said: “[Prime Minister] Keir Starmer promised change. Well, he needs to deliver change for people seeking safety in the UK.

“2024 has been the deadliest year on record in the Channel. Each life needlessly lost. Each time, family and friends left grieving the loss of a loved one.

“The government can end the deaths in 2025 overnight, if they so wish.

“By introducing safe routes for the survivors of war, torture and persecution to claim asylum in the UK, they will end crossings and save lives.”

Stand Up to Racism co-convener Sabby Dhalu said: “Year after year people are dying while attempting to cross the Channel, with this year the deadliest yet.  

“Precious little has been done to stop this by successive British governments. 

“We cannot allow this loss of life to become normalised. We call on the government to immediately implement safe passage to Britain for refugees whilst their asylum claims are processed.

“That’s the only way to stop this horrific loss of life.” 

Migrants Rights Network CEO Fizza Qureshi added: “Once again, we hear the dreadful news that more people seeking safety have died attempting to cross the Channel.

“We cannot begin to comprehend the grief that their loved ones must be feeling at this terrible time.

“These deaths, like all those before them, were entirely preventable.

“Migration is constantly framed around numbers, rather than people.

“Successive cruel government policies focused on deterrence force people — largely black and brown people — into making these dangerous journeys. 

“We renew our call for the government to reverse its plans to increase cruel deterrence and enforcement measures, and implement safe routes for people of all nationalities to come to the UK.”

The deaths yesterday follow four days of crossings that saw a total of 1,485 people make the journey, the busiest Christmas period since records began in 2018.

Some 36,525 people have arrived in Britain after crossing the Channel in small boats so far this year, up 24 per cent on 2023.

The Christmas period has also seen the total number of people arriving in Britain in small boats since 2018 pass 150,000.

Since records began on January 1 2018, some 150,870 people have made the journey from France, according to analysis of official figures.

Border security and asylum minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “This morning lives have been lost at sea because ruthless criminals running the small boat trade are overloading people into unseaworthy vessels.

“We continue to support the French authorities who are leading on the response to the incident, which took place in French waters.”

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to cut small boat crossings by “smashing the gangs” responsible for them, including through greater co-operation with international law enforcement and establishing a beefed-up Border Security Command in Britain.

Since the general election in July, 22,951 people have made the journey, up 27 per cent on the same period last year, but down 30 per cent on 2022.

Dame Angela added: “This government is committed to smashing these gangs as part of our Plan for Change, and since July we have created the new Border Security Command, begun a major crackdown on illegal working, increased deportations, and agreed a landmark plan with Germany to disrupt people-smuggling supply chains.

“Thank you to our Border Force staff for their tireless work throughout the festive period.”