The essel that capsized in the English Channel after its engine caught fire has been confirmed as the largest small boat to attempt to cross from France. French authorities said 173 people were rescued by French vessels, helped by two British Border Security Command boats and an RNLI lifeboat. This makes it the largest single vessel to attempt to cross the Channel carrying migrants. Figures from Sunday revealed more than 2,000 people had arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel on small boats since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister. According to provisional figures, the number of small boat arrivals so far is just over 14,500 – down 43% on the more than 25,400 who had arrived at this point last year.