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European Entry and Exit System
08 July 2026
Lead MP
Alex Norris
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ImmigrationTransport
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Alex Norris raised concerns about european entry and exit system in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister thanked the right hon. Gentleman for his question regarding the Entry-Exit System (EES), an EU scheme whose implementation is a shared responsibility among participating member states, including the UK. The Government have been working closely with the European Commission and other member states to understand potential impacts on juxtaposed border controls at Dover, Eurotunnel, and St Pancras. They provided £3.5 million each to three ports for necessary infrastructure upgrades and technology purchases.
During the late May bank holiday weekend, officials engaged with French authorities ensuring adequate staffing levels and clear disruption plans were in place. On 23 May, France used available flexibilities to manage congestion on roads. The Government continue to engage with European partners advocating for the pragmatic use of EES flexibilities and technology like the EES app to minimise delays.
Passengers travelling to Schengen countries by air need not register at UK airports; this responsibility lies with EU member states. The Department for Transport supports the Kent and Medway resilience forum, which has plans in place to manage potential disruptions.
Roger Gale
Con
North Thanet
Question
As indicated, there was chaos at Dover, St Pancras, and Eurotunnel due to EES failure. The French authorities were unprepared, leading to predicted delays of up to 12 hours for passengers and freight in the coming season starting in 10 days' time. Will the Minister engage French authorities again before the holiday season starts to suggest a waiver?
Minister reply
Acknowledging the shared goal to avoid chaos, the Minister confirmed daily engagement with France and the Commission to ensure prioritisation of flow over compliance during peak volumes through use of available flexibilities.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
Highlighting the impact on British holidaymakers missing flights due to delays at airports, the MP asked if fingerprints are required for exit from Schengen countries. She requested clarification regarding checks in different EU countries.
Minister reply
Checks in Schengen countries are a matter for them; however, engagement is ongoing with all countries to ensure proportionate and sensible use of flexibilities within the system.
Question
Acknowledging the scale of challenges over summer holidays due to EES delays, the MP questioned the Government's approach and requested details on conversations regarding temporary suspension or phased use of EES checks during congestion. He also inquired about contingency plans if queues spill out of Dover.
Minister reply
Engagement with EU colleagues is ongoing to encourage the use of EES flexibilities and preauthorisation systems like the EES app. While full suspension is not seen as deliverable, prioritising flow through ground-level staff flexibility remains a goal. Contingency plans include the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum's operational decisions.
Question
Last week I visited the port of Dover with the Home Affairs Committee, to see those operations in action. Given that this is an EU entry-exit system, we must face the fact that this is an inevitable consequence of Brexit, and we have to make it work. The best solution to the challenges facing our constituents this summer is sustained engagement—[Interruption.]
Minister reply
Sustained engagement with the French is crucial, and it is happening at all levels, be that ministerial, senior official, or operationally, to ensure that prioritisation of flow. This is not something that has just started, and neither is it coming to its end. We are in that constant position and have been for many months, even before the EES started its operations, and that will continue.
Question
It is now 10 years on from the Brexit referendum, and in the words of the right hon. Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick), where are we? We are here, stuck in queues at the EU border for hours at a time, because he and his acolytes forced a damaging Brexit on this country... Will the Government drop their red lines on Europe, and commit to joining the single market and customs union?
Minister reply
To address the point about Brexit, we must be clear—for example, the Republic of Ireland, which is outside Schengen, also has these challenges, so the idea that reversing to previous arrangements would change that reality is tricky. There is a fundamental choice here... Instead, we can work together to ensure that those people have the best possible experience.
Question
I travel on the channel tunnel twice a year, and the carrier knows that, in case of evacuation, one passenger in my vehicle is a wheelchair user... What are the Government doing to work with carriers so that people have as much information as early as possible to help them on their journey?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an exceptionally important point about vulnerable users... I will undertake to have conversations with carriers to ensure that things are as good as possible, in the spirit he suggests.
Karen Bradley
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
Question
The Minister must think he is having déjà vu after our exchange at the Home Affairs Committee yesterday. I implore him once again to make every endeavour and to use his best offices with the EU Commission and the French to try to get them to understand that we cannot wait for there to be delays; we have to anticipate switching off the system... Will they look at those flow forecasts and use them to decide when to put measures in place, not wait for the delays to start?
Minister reply
That is an excellent point. Ahead of the May bank holiday, we demonstrated that we were able to use that rich sense of who is coming—it is not a surprise—and to plan for when the system needs flexibility... We are having conversations to give flexibility in the service of the goal that we all want to see: the prioritisation of flow.
Question
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for all that he is doing to sort out this mess... Instead, just as with steel and electric vehicles, we find ourselves on the receiving end of decisions rather than shaping them. Does he agree that is precisely why we need an ambitious new partnership with the EU, so that Britain can genuinely take back control and British people’s European holidays do not start and end in chaos?
Minister reply
I share some of my hon. Friend’s analysis, but not all of it... However, I agree with my hon. Friend wholescale about having a close relationship with the EU.
Helen Whately
Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Question
Every holiday period, Kent and my constituency of Faversham and Mid Kent is brought to a standstill... It is a disaster. I implore the Minister to involve the Prime Minister—and, most likely, the right hon. Member for Makerfield (Andy Burnham), as this could happen under his watch—in the negotiations with the EU to suspend these checks in advance, not to wait and see, so that we can stop these queues happening?
Minister reply
It is important to recognise... On the hon. Lady’s point about engagement, I hope that she has heard that our approach is not to wait and see—it has not been in the past and it is not now. We want to plan ahead of time so that PAF staff can make flexibilities to prioritise flow.
Question
In Scotland, the holiday season has already started... Is the Minister speaking one to one with those countries to ensure that, at the very least, we are aware of what the challenges could be?
Minister reply
It is reasonable for the House and the Government of the day to have a real focus on the juxtaposed ports, because the issues happen on UK soil and have impacts in UK constituencies. My hon. Friend is right that our constituents will go to all EU member states... In the spirit that he suggests, we have talked to the European Commission and we have talked to member states individually.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
Will the Minister point out to the European Union that, because we have a common travel area with the Republic of Ireland, there is an open border between the EU and UK, so they might as well allow the same access through Dover rather than imposing checks?
Minister reply
The CTA is not an open border; individuals crossing must have reasons for entry. The assertion that the new system has no practical benefits ignores the EU's need to know who enters its territory.
Question
Will the Minister set out what assessment his office has made about the economic impact of the new system on HGV drivers and hauliers, and what measures will be taken to support this sector?
Minister reply
The majority of HGV drivers are European nationals who face fewer checks. The scheme allows for repeat checks over three years, reducing future burdens. Economic impacts are being assessed with a focus on prioritising flow.
Question
Is it not cheeky to ask the Government of the day to sort out problems caused by previous Conservative policies? Will the Minister request the Conservatives to respond regarding creating this issue?
Minister reply
The minister is clearing up Tory messes, including issues like small boat crossings and hotel use. However, every situation needs individual assessment.
Question
What is the Minister doing to work with French allies and other European countries to resolve this situation?
Minister reply
Collaboration is key; warm words alone are insufficient. Ongoing conversations aim for a reset in EU relations.
Question
Haulage, agricultural, and fisheries firms rely on Dover, but delays damage seafood exports. Is it not time to interview the French ambassador regarding their side of the strait?
Minister reply
Delays are due to issues on both sides. The Government has invested £40 million in UK infrastructure. Rich conversations daily with France and EU officials are more effective.
Question
Can the Government promote the official 'Travel to Europe' app further and ensure perishable goods have priority access at ports?
Minister reply
Prioritisation is challenging, but there is flexibility for vulnerable individuals. The Minister encourages early planning through travel information apps.
Question
Why was the suggestion to provide off-site units where people could have their fingerprints taken under supervision not implemented? Will this be put to French Government?
Minister reply
The issue is with technology, not infrastructure. Once tech works properly, such solutions can be tested and implemented.
Question
Is the Minister emphasising to the French that their economy will suffer due to chaos caused by the EU Immigration Enforcement System?
Minister reply
The minister views these challenges as shared and not for schadenfreude. Ongoing conversations with neighbours aim at a cooperative resolution.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Question
Echoes the point made previously about Scottish holidays having already begun. Raises concern about coach travel and its impact on passengers and drivers due to the EES.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for planning spikes in holiday traffic. Notes that coach companies are well placed for routine travel routes and have ongoing conversations with transport carriers.
Question
Asks if the Government is solely focusing on ports regarding immigration enforcement, especially concerning Northern Ireland where illegal immigration has been a concern.
Minister reply
Clarifies that the UK focuses on all ports and has significant levels of immigration enforcement in the common travel area. Over 2,600 visits have occurred since the general election with more than 1,000 people removed, 500 to the Republic of Ireland.
Question
Raises concerns about impacts on Bridlington's lobster industry due to delays at Dover and suggests that other countries should delay EES implementation.
Minister reply
Commends Bridlington’s lobster industry and acknowledges the importance of prioritising flow over compliance in discussions with France, Commission and EU member states.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and North Perthshire
Question
Questions why Scottish holidaymakers are caught up in EES issues despite Scotland not voting for Brexit. Asks what is being done to alleviate it.
Minister reply
Engages with partners across member states and the Commission to prioritise flow over compliance, stating these conversations would have happened anyway.
Question
Suggests an interim emergency summit involving France and European Commission to address EES issues before peak summer season. Raises concerns about inconsistent scanning of UK hauliers’ exit from the Schengen area.
Minister reply
States ongoing work on this issue without power to convene international summits, mentions meeting with Home Secretary's counterparts next week where EES is on the agenda.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Asks about specific measures at Northern Ireland seaports and airports to stop EES loophole turning Northern Ireland into a magnet for illegal transit.
Minister reply
Clarifies there will be no EES checks at those ports but acknowledges interest in travel arrangements. Discusses changes and flexibilities with domestic e-gates.
Shadow Comment
Roger Gale
Shadow Comment
The shadow Minister criticised the failure of EES implementation over the spring bank holiday weekend at Dover, St Pancras, and Eurotunnel due to unprepared French authorities. Bookings predict up to 12-hour delays for passengers and freight in the coming season starting in 10 days' time. He urged the Minister to approach French authorities again to suggest a waiver before the summer holidays commence.
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