LONDON — Children were among those brought ashore in Kent after crossing the English Channel in small boats on Tuesday.

Young children with blankets could be seen being supported by staff as Border Force vessels arrived into Dover carrying large numbers of people.

The arrivals come as 4,306 people have crossed the Channel so far this year, not including Tuesday's arrivals, compared to 3,770 by the same period last year — according to Home Office data.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has insisted his plan to "stop the boats" is working despite the higher number of recorded migrant arrivals.

The crossings come as the government’s Rwanda Bill remains in parliamentary limbo, after a series of further defeats in the Lords.

MPs are not scheduled to debate the bill again until after Westminster returns from its Easter break.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We remain committed to building on the successes that saw arrivals drop by more than a third last year."

The spokesperson said this included tougher legislation and agreements with international partners, "in order to save lives and stop the boats." — BBC