A record total of 235 migrants crossed the Channel by boat on Thursday, setting a new high for crossings in a single day.
Border Force cutter Seeker and patrol boats Speedwell and Hunter intercepted 17 vessels, one of which was carrying 26 people.
More than 1,100 migrants arrived in the UK in July alone - almost as high as those of May and June combined, according to the PA news agency.
Thursday’s figure tops a record set just a week ago, when 202 people crossed in a single 24-hour period.
The French authorities said they had also rescued migrants from several kayaks in their own waters as they headed for the UK. A helicopter was used in the response that saw at least 23 people intercepted and brought back to France.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has demanded a review of the UK’s maritime presence in the Channel, potentially leading to the Navy to be deployed to assist the Border Force.
However, the Home Office declined to comment on the Navy’s potential involvement.
Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp said: “I share the anger and frustration of the public at the appalling number of crossings we have seen today.
“The crossings are totally unacceptable and unnecessary as France is a safe country. We work closely with France and I will be in Paris early next week to seek to agree stronger measures with them, including interceptions and returns. This situation simply cannot go on.”
He suggested the only option to stop the crossing was to make the route “completely unviable.”
Mr Philp said the UK would be returning as many migrants as possible to France and that return flights were scheduled over the coming days.
The Home Affairs Committee in the House of Commons will look at the role of criminal gangs as well as the responses of UK and French authorities to combat illegal migration and support legal routes to asylum.
The committee will also investigate the conditions experienced by people gathered in northern France seeking to enter the UK and they risks they faced during the crossing.
Labour’s shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds accused the Government of a “lack of competence” over migrant crossings.
He said it is “deeply concerning” and said ministers were “failing to get to grips with the crisis”.
Refugee Action is calling for the Government to make a long-term commitment to resettling refugees.
