More than 40,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel to the UK so far this year

The total number of migrants who have crossed the English Channel this year has surpassed 40,000, Government figures show.

The confirmed figures came after dozens of men, women and children arrived to the UK yesterday. 

Boarder force officials were seen brining migrants into shore at Dover, Kent on Saturday, making them the first arrivals this month after a long period of bad weather. 

Families and women with young children were among those pictured disembarking from Border Force vessels, after being picked up from the Channel. 

This comes after news that migrants being held at Manston immigration centre are to be vaccinated against diphtheria. This is just the latest sign of poor conditions faced by families and individuals at the site.

A group of people arrive in the UK after being rescued from the English Channel

Almost 7,000 people arrived in the UK via small boat crossings in October, many of whom are vulnerable asylum seekers. 

Last week it was revealed the Home Office deported 350 people last month, more than 100 of whom were Albanian nationals.  

The figure included 22 people who arrived after crossing the Channel in small boats and were removed directly from Manston processing centre in Kent.

As the peak for small boat crossings tends to be in summer, this suggests that only a very small proportion of those arriving in the UK have committed offences. 

But the Home Office said those deported with prior offences had been convicted of ‘serious’ crimes, including rape, murder and assault.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.