Channel Crossings in Small Boats

The shadow Home Secretary questions the inadequacy of work done last year to tackle small-boat crossings. He calls for scrutiny on the joint action plan and highlights the need for safe routes, welfare provisions for children intercepted at sea, and covid-secure accommodation. Thomas-Symonds also criticises the abolition of the Department for International Development as a mistake.

Bell agrees that what is happening is illegal queue jumping and asylum shopping, with people claiming asylum in multiple countries instead of seeking refuge in the first safe country. He supports ending this practice.

McDonald criticises the response to channel crossings for being driven by Farage and friction rather than empathy and evidence. He highlights that international law does not require refugees to apply for asylum in the first safe state they come to, pointing out good reasons why people might want to make their claims in the UK instead of France.

The French authorities must take responsibility for preventing small boats from crossing the Channel, as their negligence endangers lives and encourages traffickers.

There are no robust legal routes for seeking asylum in the UK, leaving people with dangerous journeys. The Home Secretary should create safe and legal routes to protect those fleeing persecution.

Improving asylum decision-making speed would discourage economic migrants. Development assistance can be used to focus on source countries to reduce the economic incentive for people to leave their homes.

The Secretary of State should provide extra support to Kent police due to violent assaults and planned protests by far-right groups targeting asylum seekers. Violence against migrants must be condemned unequivocally.

Returning illegal immigrants immediately back to France upon arrival is the simplest way to stem the flow of illegal immigration, reflecting the anger and frustration in Kent towards the Government's reluctance to take such action.

Reducing overseas aid could worsen migration patterns. The UK’s overseas aid budget and trade agreements play a role in improving economic conditions and prosperity in source countries, thereby reducing migration incentives.

Labour's strategy on illegal crossings is out of touch; the asylum system should be tightened to eliminate vexatious claims and repeated applications. Taxpayers' money should not fund legal aid for illegal migrants.

The UK should continue offering protection to genuine refugees while managing illegal immigration through cooperation with the EU, including Northern Ireland and other entry points into the UK.

Legal challenges often frustrate legitimate returns of illegal migrants. A recent planned flight to Spain was cancelled due to last-minute claims, wasting taxpayers' money and delaying lawful returns.

If we do not provide safe and legal routes for people fleeing war and persecution, they will resort to unsafe and illegal routes. There is only one other country in Europe that does not allow unaccompanied refugee children to be reunited with their families and sponsor that reunification.

There are plenty of legal mechanisms for claiming asylum, about 40% entered the country lawfully. The resettlement scheme has seen nearly 20,000 people resettled directly from conflict zones. Last year we received over 3,500 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASCs), more than any other European country.

Asked whether the Department is urging French Government to take rapid and productive action to prevent those leaving the French coast and looking at ways to return economic migrants and process vexatious asylum claims in a more rapid manner.

The rise in small boat crossings is due to crackdown on border controls for lorries and drop in freight traffic because of coronavirus. We need safe legal routes, particularly for working with people who have a proven connection to the UK.

Congratulated law enforcement agencies on recent arrests made and asked about further steps being taken with counterparts overseas to smash criminal networks exploiting migrants.

Critiqued the Government for chasing cheap newspaper headlines rather than addressing this challenge. Urged a cross-European solution instead of pushing responsibilities onto other countries.

Asked about reforming our laws around asylum, illegal migration and criminality to stop these crossings completely once the transition period with the EU ends.

Asked if reopening safe routes properly would lead to a fair share of asylum applications for the UK, considering France, Spain and Germany take more than we do.

Pressed on concrete progress made since last question and reiterated need for French navy intervention in international waters.

Asked the Minister if subjecting refugees to voyeuristic media coverage and a hostile environment gives him any shame, highlighting overcrowded dinghies in English Channel.

My constituents are aware that the majority of illegal crossings are facilitated by organised criminals who exploit and endanger vulnerable migrants. I ask for confirmation from the Minister on his and the Secretary of State's commitment to crack down on these criminal activities, including updates on French law enforcement cooperation.

There are ongoing investigations into criminals facilitating illegal immigration. In 2021 alone, there have been multiple convictions and prison sentences in the UK and France. We are collaborating closely with French authorities through various units like the joint intelligence cell and the Co-ordination and Information Centre unit in Calais.

The Minister should correct his statement that applying for asylum in the first safe country is a legal requirement. People have the right to apply in any chosen country, with family reunion being prioritised under Dublin criteria. I urge the Government to focus on addressing migration root causes like climate change.

My constituents and others are frustrated by reports of illegal migrants arriving in hotels, facing legal challenges funded by British taxpayers. We need to stop the boats leaving France, but what can we do domestically to improve our system for asylum and deportation?

Hotel accommodation due to coronavirus is temporary and will be unwound as soon as possible. We are exploring legislative options to tighten the asylum system against abuse. The Government's commitment to policing borders remains strong.

The militarisation of this humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by past military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, is troubling. Wales has committed to becoming a sanctuary nation; what will the Government do to enable this?

The largest source countries include Iran, Eritrea, Sudan—countries with no military engagement from Britain. We granted 20,000 asylum and resettled nearly 20,000 under various schemes, showing our commitment to compassion alongside border enforcement.

I commend law enforcement and the Royal Navy. The public feels deeply about these illegal crossings and expects no stone unturned in returning illegal crossers.

The interconnected world means that people from war-ravaged nations or those suffering hunger/persecution often risk their lives to seek refuge elsewhere, including crossing the English Channel. The abolition of DFID shows a cruel irony in dealing with displaced populations.

Britain is the only G7 country contributing 0.7% of GNI to overseas aid and was second-largest donor for Syrian humanitarian efforts. Most crossing boats originate from France, not war-ravaged countries.

How many people illegally arriving in the UK have been expelled back to their initial asylum country? What is the percentage?

Approximately 185 people were physically returned and about a thousand are being processed for return under Dublin regulations. Flights have been booked for returns in coming days.

With 6,000 children in makeshift EU camps, the Dubs scheme's closure leaves many vulnerable. How are you protecting these young people seeking refuge from war, torture and persecution?

We received 3,500 asylum applications last year, the highest in Europe. I urge other European countries to show similar compassion towards unaccompanied children.

Criminal gangs facilitating illegal crossings are also involved in money laundering and wider organised crime. Can assurances be given that we are addressing this issue comprehensively?

NCA officers work with European law enforcement to track down these criminal networks, which extend beyond the UK into countries like Germany, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

The Minister’s Department has posted a video attacking so-called “activist lawyers”. Such language risks stoking divisions and tensions. The Minister should introduce safe passages to address the issue humanely.

There are existing safe passages, and legal processes have loopholes that need closing. We will not apologise for policing our borders. The Government is addressing illegal crossings through stopping boats before they leave French shores, turning them back when in the English channel, and returning those who break into Britain.

77% of the public see illegal immigration as a serious problem. The system is being gamed, but asylum for genuine need is noble. Root-and-branch reform is needed.

The UK is not facing an invasion; using terms like “clandestine channel threat commander” fuels tension and racism.

Dover sees over 5,000 illegal entrants this year. We must stop boats before they leave France, turn them around in the English channel and swiftly return those who enter illegally.

The UK should do more to provide sanctuary for refugees given global crises. Dehumanising people as an illegal threat is dangerous and against empathy and humanity.

What powers does the clandestine channel threat commander have, and how are elements of this role different from Border Force responsibilities?

People come into Serbia from Iran and then through Europe to Kent. How are these illegal migrants entering EU/Schengen area now that the loophole is closed? My constituents want swift action.

The number of asylum applications in the UK, France and Germany for recent years are presented. The Minister confirms accuracy of these figures.

My constituents are frustrated by scenes on south coast. We lack legislative tools to take robust action against illegal immigration and asylum. Time has come to review approach fundamentally.

The Government’s dangerous rhetoric is inhumane and indefensible. Not enough help for refugees. When will the Minister end hostile environment and start treating refugees with respect?

Criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people through illegal crossings. What further intelligence measures can we take with French colleagues to trace vessels purchased by criminal gangs?

The Minister has spoken much about the compassion that the Government are showing, but will he acknowledge that we all know that the best way to prevent people from making desperate and dangerous journeys is to provide safe legal routes? In their negotiations with the EU, however, the Government are seeking to end this country’s mandatory obligation to reunite unaccompanied, asylum-seeking children with their families. Could he use some of that compassion to persuade the Government to change their negotiating position and allow those reunifications to continue?

It is not the Government who require persuading; we have tabled a detailed legal text providing for reunification, and we would like the EU—the European Commission—to engage with it. The hon. Lady’s good offices and persuasive skills would be better applied to the European Commission.

I pay tribute to the agencies involved in this and, in particular, to the recent intelligence sharing that led to the successful raids and the stopping of these crossings at source. People who get to the channel and join small boats have clearly gone through safe countries that have working asylum systems. As we leave the transition period, may I, like other Conservative Members, implore that legislation is brought to this place to fix these things?

What steps are the Government taking to ensure that more accommodation settings for migrants are not targeted by far-right groups, as was the case in Coventry recently?

This problem has got worse throughout this year, and one consequence is that children in the asylum system are largely accommodated in Kent. The leader of the county council said that there were 589 in August, despite the fact that the safe number is considered to be 231, under the national transfer scheme. What can the Minister say about this situation? Will the Government do more to make sure that children are accommodated safely in the asylum system away from Kent, and not just principally in Kent?

The Minister has just outlined some of the provisions to support children who are intercepted in these channel crossings. Does he feel that the local authorities, right across this country, have enough resources to support children who are intercepted?

Clearly, these crossings are only made possible by criminals who thrive on exploiting vulnerable migrants and endangering their lives. Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the safest ways to protect refugees is to crack down on this abhorrent trade and reform our asylum laws to ensure that those most in need are protected?

Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to human rights and migration lawyers, who do an essential job in upholding the rule of law and preventing the Home Office from breaking its international obligations under human rights and refugee conventions?

Does my hon. Friend agree that our European friends and partners, not just the French, need to do more to help the UK prevent the crossings by focusing more resources and determination on cracking down on the organised criminal gangs across Europe that are exploiting individuals seeking a better life and forcing them on to boats to make perilous journeys across the channel, needlessly?