Reform UK warned that "a day of political reckoning is coming" over the small boats crisis. Deputy leader Richard Tice reacted with fury to photos showing French police watching on as migrants boarded a rubber dinghy.

In a post on X, he said the "disgraceful invasion continues". Mr Tice added: "These pictures infuriate Britain. French gendarmes laughing as take our money. Illegal migrants coming to take our money. A day of political reckoning is coming. Only ⁦Reform UK⁩ will stop the boats."

It comes after another 244 migrants made the dangerous Channel crossing yesterday.

More than 17,000 people have travelled to the UK by small boats so far with this year on course to be a record.

Downing Street earlier this week admitted that the situation in the English Channel is "deteriorating".

The Prime Minister signalled that countries who do not take back failed asylum seekers could face a visa crackdown.

Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in Canada, the Prime Minister said: "It's a serious challenge that requires serious responses to it."

Sir Keir added that he was looking at a "smarter use of our visas" and "whether we should tie our visas to the work that the countries we're dealing with are doing on preventative measures and on return agreements".

No 10 signalled it was part of a "more hard-edged approach to diplomacy and migration".

A spokesman said: "This is at an early stage, but the principle is clear: if a country won't co-operate on returns or prevention, they shouldn't expect visa privileges to carry on as normal.

"No one has a right to a UK visa, and this Government is making sure the rules are enforced."