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Small Boats Incident in the Channel
14 December 2022
Lead MP
Suella Braverman
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Asylum & RefugeesMigrants & BordersDefenceEmploymentForeign Affairs
Other Contributors: 39
At a Glance
Suella Braverman raised concerns about small boats incident in the channel 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
Asylum & RefugeesMigrants & BordersDefenceEmploymentForeign Affairs
Government Statement
I have made a statement to the House about an incident in the channel where there are currently four fatalities. This is a multi-agency effort involving HM Coastguard, RNLI, South East Coast Ambulance Service, Ministry of Defence, Border Force, and French authorities. A full statement will be provided once the facts are established. I express profound sadness for those affected and gratitude to responders like Commander Dan O’Mahoney’s team. The Home Secretary emphasises that crossing in unseaworthy vessels is dangerous and calls for breaking the business model of smugglers. She highlights a new small boats deal with France, enhancing patrolling efforts, and announces doubling NCA funding and adding over 700 staff to combat organised immigration crime. A new agreement with Albania embeds Border Force officers at Tirana airport to disrupt criminal groups. Legislation will be introduced to prevent illegal entry and ensure swift removal to safe countries. The Home Secretary also outlines creating more legal routes for asylum seekers in collaboration with the UNHCR.
Matthew Offord
Con
Hendon
Question
The MP asks whether the Home Secretary can provide a timeline for her response to the Labour amendment proposing that people smuggling is a crime against humanity and should be treated as such.
Minister reply
The minister responds by emphasising that tackling people smuggling effectively requires a comprehensive strategy, including robust enforcement of existing laws. She notes ongoing efforts to disrupt smuggling operations and prosecute criminals involved.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
Hull North
Question
The MP inquires about the Home Secretary’s commitment to safe passage for unaccompanied children, expressing concern over delays caused by misinformation campaigns.
Minister reply
The minister reiterates her determination to tackle people smuggling and emphasises the importance of safe legal routes. She commits to working with local authorities and international partners to address issues faced by unaccompanied minors.
Ian Levy
Lab
Leicester South
Question
The MP questions the Home Secretary about her assessment of Albania’s suitability as a secure country for asylum seekers, given concerns over corruption.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the importance of due diligence and emphasises that agreements with countries like Albania are made after thorough assessments to ensure they meet required standards.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Expressed condolences, thanked responders, criticised insufficient action against gangs, called for major NCA boost with specific funding details. Questioned small boats command's practicalities including leadership and coordination between Home Office and MoD. Pressed on French patrols and surveillance details.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the tragedy, expressed gratitude to emergency services, detailed new small boats operational command within Border Force with military support, doubling current staffing levels, improved intelligence sharing with France, progress on preventing unnecessary crossings via new deal signed last month, extension of safe legal routes after dealing with people-smuggling gangs.
Tim Loughton
Con
East Worthing and Shoreham
Question
Echoed sympathies, expressed admiration for rescue services' professionalism, stressed criminal gang responsibility, asked about progress in discussions with French counterparts to intercept boats at shore or arrest people before they attempt crossings.
Minister reply
Proudly updated on new agreement struck with French colleagues, detailed initial deployments of embedded offices under the deal, first full deployments before Christmas, joint headquarters function up and running, regular operational planning meetings between UK and French law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Question
I first thank and pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East who so ably fulfilled this role before me. I and my SNP colleagues send our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those four reported to have died in the early hours of this morning and hope that it will be possible for the rescued to make a full recovery... (full statement as above)
Minister reply
As I have said, I am incredibly proud of this country’s generosity and, in fact, of this Government’s track record on extending the hand of friendship to more than 300,000 people this year alone. Those people have fled persecution, conflict and have come through humanitarian routes to find shelter and safety in the United Kingdom... (full answer as above)
Roger Gale
Con
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Question
May I add my appreciation to that already expressed for the work of those who were engaged in the rescue operation under appalling conditions last night, and also for that of the east Kent hospitals that have been treating the survivors, some of whom are still fighting for their lives, and some of whom, I understand, are women and children... (full question as above)
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for all his efforts in supporting the local community, not just following this incident, but throughout, because I know that, particularly in Kent, there is pressure on communities and authorities relating to illegal migration... (full answer as above)
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
Question
On behalf of the Home Affairs Committee, I express our sincere condolences to all those families who have lost loved ones. I pay tribute to the emergency services that were operating in such appalling conditions, and carry on doing so today... (full question as above)
Minister reply
What more we can do forms part of the plan that the Prime Minister announced yesterday: focusing on the operational command and our resources at Dover, and working with the French. We want to investigate 100% of the small boats, and we want to arrest all of the pilots that we can identify... (full answer as above)
Question
I was awoken this morning to the news that bodies were being brought into Dover, and that the boat had overturned in the channel. It is the news that I, as the Member of Parliament for Dover and Deal, and people across my community fear day after day... (full question as above)
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for all of her work over the past few years, dealing with this issue. I know that she speaks powerfully for all of her constituents who are directly affected by illegal migration... (full answer as above)
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Death by drowning at sea must be one of the most horrific ways imaginable of meeting your end. I am sure that is something that is understood only too well in the nation’s island and coastal communities, where this news will have been felt particularly keenly... (full question as above)
Minister reply
As I said, we already have an extensive programme of welcoming people to this country through humanitarian routes, and I have listed some of the countries from which people have arrived. The Prime Minister has set out the plan, but it is clear that, fundamentally, we have to send a message to anybody thinking about coming to the UK that they must do it through legal means—through a lawful route—and that jumping the queue and putting their life and that of others at risk is not an acceptable way of coming to the United Kingdom... (full answer as above)
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
The Home Secretary will be aware that there are plenty of safe countries in Europe that have fully functioning asylum systems. Does she agree that anybody fleeing persecution should claim asylum in the first safe country they come to?
Minister reply
That element relates to the Albania agreement that we recently struck, which makes it clear that Albania is a safe country, as the Albanian ambassador made clear recently at the Home Affairs Committee. There is no reason for people from Albania to come to the United Kingdom and claim asylum.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Question
I join the Home Secretary and colleagues in expressing my profound sadness at the terrible loss of life and my thanks to those involved in the rescue, but the House needs to ask itself why mothers and fathers are getting in those boats with their children to seek to come to the United Kingdom... (full question as above)
Minister reply
The reality is that, of course, where we have routes and people have met the relevant criteria, they are enabled to come here. It is not the case, however, that any person across the world who wants to choose the UK as their destination can do so without legitimate grounds... (full answer as above)
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Question
I associate myself with the Home Secretary’s remarks about the tragedy and commend her determination to deal with this issue. Last week, I and other hon. Members met one of those responsible for the Australian sovereign borders scheme to tackle illegal migration there. A key part of that scheme was to challenge the messaging at source used by the people traffickers. Their cruel and callous sales pitch is that Britain is a soft touch and that, when people get here, they will never leave. Will she look at countering that messaging at its place of origin using the intelligence and security services and all other means with the vehemence that she personifies?
Minister reply
The harsh reality is that many thousands of people are being sold the lie that, if they hand over large sums of money to criminal gangs, they will have a promise of a new life in the United Kingdom. The truth behind that lie is that they are putting themselves at lethal risk; sometimes, they are entering into unlawful arrangements and exposing themselves to exploitation; and they are coming here unfairly and illegitimately. That is not the right way to come to the United Kingdom and they are not welcome.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
Like all Members, I hold out sympathy to those who died last night and thank those who risked everything to try to save life at sea; they should be thanked for that. It is obviously correct to condemn people traffickers and all that goes with them. However, there is a reason that people make these dangerous journeys: they are absolutely desperate—they would not do it otherwise. Instead of the ritual condemnation of people traffickers, could we have something more positive about what we are going to do to support those desperate human beings, of whom the Prime Minister acknowledged there are more around the world than ever before, and make a positive contribution to dealing with the causes of flight in the first place—war, environmental disaster, human rights abuses and so much else? Condemning is easy, but holding out the hand of humanity and friendship to very desperate people is what we should be doing today.
Minister reply
I think we have to get a reality check here. The reality is that not everybody getting on a small boat—an unseaworthy vessel—and paying thousands of pounds to criminal gangs is a refugee. Not everyone coming here illegally is coming here on humanitarian grounds. There is considerable evidence that people are coming here as economic migrants, illegally. That is what we are trying to stop.
Question
I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for the actions she is taking. Could she update the House on what she is doing to reduce the pull factors that encourage people to risk their lives crossing the channel, and how she is ensuring that the people who take those risks know about them and know what they will receive once they get here, to combat the lie they have been sold?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes the right point. We will be taking further action to properly investigate and enforce against things such as illegal working, and my right hon. Friend the Immigration Minister will be leading a taskforce set up in Government with other Departments that will make a co-ordinated effort to ensure that we are better policing this issue. Ultimately, this comes down to deterrence and ensuring that we have the right laws in place. That is why it is vital that we introduce and pass legislation which makes it clear that, if you come here illegally, you will be detained and you will be removed to a third country or to a safe country.
Question
On behalf of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, I extend condolences to the families and friends of those who have died and pay tribute to the brave emergency services and rescuers. Nobody in this House wants to encourage organised crime or people smugglers. Two years ago, a Home Office report suggested that deterrent policies are ineffective. Notwithstanding that, yesterday, the Prime Minister announced a legislative package and refused to confirm that he would not derogate from the European convention on human rights if he felt it was necessary in order to enforce that legislation not against people smugglers or organised crime but against asylum seekers. At the Tory party conference, the Home Secretary was reported as saying that it was her position that, ultimately, the United Kingdom needs to leave the European convention on human rights. Is that still her position?
Minister reply
The hon. and learned Lady talks about deterrence, and I disagree with her, respectfully. I am incredibly convinced that deterrence must be an element of our plan to fix this problem. If we look at other countries around the world, such as Australia, which has made huge progress in dealing with a very similar challenge, it is a deterrent element of removal that was integral to reducing the number of illegal arrivals. That is why I am a big supporter of the Rwanda scheme, which is an important element of our plan to fix the problem. I gently urge her to support our legislation, which, as I said, will make it clear that those who arrive here illegally will be detained and removed.
Question
We all feel deeply for those lives tragically lost overnight, which makes the measures announced by the Prime Minister yesterday to break the evil trade of people smuggling even more relevant than they were yesterday. Let us talk plainly in this House. This boat did not magically appear on the median line; it was launched from a beach in France—a safe country. It feels like groundhog day, because a little over a year ago we were having a similar debate when there was an even worse tragedy. Following that, the then Prime Minister made a broad and expansive office to the French President for UK boots to be allowed to go on the sand and on the ground to stop these launchings. Could my right hon. and learned Friend make that broad and expansive offer once more to the French? It is patently true that they have not managed to stop this evil and miserable trade in human tragedy.
Minister reply
We are still establishing the exact facts about what did or did not happen around the incident. However, this year alone the French have been successful in preventing approximately 30,000 attempts to leave their coastline. Is that enough? We would like that number to be considerably higher, and that is why the French Government and the UK Government are working hand in hand to increase our resources and our joint working so that ultimately we have a meaningful, preventive mechanism in the channel.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
Our thoughts and prayers have to go to those whose families have been destroyed by the tragedy that occurred in the channel. But our anger, and the anger of the House, ought to be directed at those who callously exploit people who are desperate, or simply people who are misled, for profit. The Democratic Unionist party and the whole House should be supporting the Government in their efforts, first, to prevent the people who are selling places on these boats from getting customers in the first place. Those people should know that, when they come here, there will be no advantage to them and that they will have to leave again. At the same time, what steps is the Home Secretary taking to ensure that safe and legal routes are strengthened for those who genuinely need to seek refuge in this country, and that more resources are put into them, so that there is no need for people to give in to the exploitation of these people smugglers?
Minister reply
The right hon. Member is right. That is why the Prime Minister announced yesterday that we will have a capped safe and legal routes programme that will come into force once we have tackled the issue of illegal migration. The right hon. Member is right to highlight the criminality. The criminal gangs are sophisticated and well organised, and they are working across several countries. That is why working with European partners is a core element of our plan to fix the problem. I was pleased with the support demonstrated by international partners at the Calais group meeting of Interior Ministers that I attended last week.
Question
This is a tragedy from top to bottom, with dozens of souls huddled in an insufficient boat travelling across the world’s busiest shipping lane in minus 4° waters. These journeys should not be undertaken at all. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their lives and those fighting for their lives right now, but I would like to pay tribute to those working in the channel to keep people safe and picking them up when boats do capsize. The Home Affairs Committee met some of them in doing its work. I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday, but does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that what we really need to do is tackle these gangs by going back upstream and going after the money of those who are peddling a lie by wrongly saying that these journeys are safe and that people can live a successful economic life here, as well as by targeting the social media companies that allow adverts to be shared online that promote these routes as being safe and an easy way to access the UK?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right that tackling the criminal gangs is essential. I struck the Calais group agreement last week, and I am glad we have all committed to the UK supporting resources at Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. Many people arriving here, having crossed the channel, come from outside the EU. They travel through the western Balkans and make their way across the EU to northern France, from where they make the journey. Helping to bolster the EU border will have a preventive element. My hon. Friend is also right about social media, which was also part of last week’s discussion.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Question
I add my voice to the condolences to the family and friends who lost loved ones. I also express my gratitude to all the rescuers. The refugee convention, of which we are not just a signatory but an author, was established at the end of the second world war following the horrors of the holocaust, which we are remembering here tomorrow. Will the Home Secretary publish the minutes of her Ministers’ meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees? Does he support the measures that the Prime Minister announced yesterday? In particular, does he think they will work?
Minister reply
I am very proud of our track record of welcoming people who are fleeing persecution and who come here for humanitarian reasons. We have welcomed more than 300,000 people this year alone, and 450,000 since 2015. We will consult on the future cap on those coming through safe and legal routes, which the Prime Minister announced yesterday, and on how that cap will be decided. We will incorporate lessons from our successful community sponsorship approach, pioneered through Homes for Ukraine, and we will ensure that, fundamentally, it is a decision legitimised and authorised by directly elected and accountable Members of Parliament.
Dean Russell
Con
Watford
Question
Expresses condolences to the victims' families and calls for legislation to combat people smuggling. Asks if the Government will do everything possible to prevent this crime from happening again.
Minister reply
States that the Prime Minister is committed to stopping illegal journeys and preventing exploitation by criminal gangs.
Patrick Grady
SNP
Glasgow North
Question
Questions whether people rescued from the channel who come from safe countries are not welcome in the UK.
Minister reply
Refuses to comment on specific facts and emphasises the need for political resolve against illegal immigration.
Richard Drax
Con
South Dorset
Question
Asks if technological capabilities like satellites, drones, and coordinated French-British operations can prevent boats from launching.
Minister reply
Confirms that Border Force is increasing its technological capability and doubling funding for the National Crime Agency to better detect and stop illegal activity.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Question
Pays tribute to rescue services and asks if RNLI deserves full support.
Minister reply
Agrees that RNLI is an incredible organisation and expresses full support for its work.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Question
Acknowledges the importance of safe and legal routes for refugees to avoid irregular means of entry.
Minister reply
States that while UK will provide safe routes, it is unrealistic to accommodate all 100 million people globally seeking relocation; emphasises need for control alongside compassion.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Asks when the Home Secretary will acknowledge that safe and legal routes are necessary to prevent more tragedy.
Minister reply
Reports increased prosecutions under Nationality and Borders Act, highlighting its impact on illegal crime gangs.
Rachel Maclean
Con
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Question
Asks what additional work can be done with the French to warn people about the dangers of making the journey.
Minister reply
Highlights the need for greater action upstream, particularly in disrupting criminal gangs' social media advertising.
Stella Creasy
Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Question
Asks how people from Iran facing persecution can come to the UK safely.
Minister reply
Explains that several mechanisms exist for safe entry, including UN resettlement schemes and family reunion.
Paul Bristow
Con
Peterborough
Question
Calls for stopping boats, destroying smugglers' business model, and saving lives.
Minister reply
Announces plans to bring forward legislation to detain and remove those who enter the UK illegally on small boats.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
Question
Challenges Home Secretary's response as dehumanizing and inadequate, asking for provision of safe routes.
Minister reply
Rejects political point scoring and emphasises the need to transcend politics in addressing human tragedy.
Question
The Home Secretary may recall that many of us predicted today’s tragedy. Members are keen to blame gangs, but it is Members in this place who are preventing us from stopping the boats on their perilous journeys by not replacing aspects of the Human Rights Act or exiting the ECHR. When will we make the Rwanda plan work?
Minister reply
As my hon. Friend knows, I believe in the groundbreaking partnership that the United Kingdom has struck with Rwanda. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement, compassionate and pragmatic. The partnership is currently in the courts awaiting judgment from the High Court due very soon.
Mike Kane
Lab
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Question
Does the Home Secretary consider that the Franco-British operational research unit to combat migrant smuggling in the channel, announced on 12 July 2020 by the former Home Secretary Priti Patel, a failure?
Minister reply
In 2021, joint efforts prevented more than 23,000 dangerous and unnecessary crossings. This year alone, the figure is 31,000. The UK-France joint intelligence cell has dismantled 55 organised crime gangs and secured over 500 arrests.
Question
This country has led in providing safe routes for those fleeing Ukraine and Afghanistan. However, does the Home Secretary agree that it would be impractical to make asylum claims directly from any country in the world due to tens of millions of economic migrant claims?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. While we will do everything we can to support countries through development, co-operation and Foreign Office work, a system where claims are made directly would be impractical, unsustainable and fundamentally unfair.
Question
Yesterday the Prime Minister skirted around whether the UNHCR was consulted on the Rwanda plan. The UNHCR has described the plan as 'a troubling step away' from a commendable humanitarian tradition, undermining the global refugee system and violating International Law. Why did the Home Secretary not consult the UNHCR?
Minister reply
I voted to leave the EU to take back control of our borders and migration policy. It is for this Parliament and directly elected people running this country to decide on how we should run our migration policy.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Question
I was told in my maiden speech that the issue of child reunion and unaccompanied asylum seeking children would be addressed in the Nationality and Borders Bill, but such provisions were rejected. Will the Secretary of State look at the issue of small numbers of such children who have family members here?
Minister reply
Whenever unaccompanied asylum seeking children arrive in the UK, they are provided considerable levels of support, funding and care. We ensure that their safeguarding is a priority for them and for us.
Question
This morning I expected the Home Secretary to tell us about the incident—how many people were still missing and how the survivors were being supported, but instead we heard words such as 'enforcement' and 'deterrent'. How should a constituent’s sister seek asylum in the UK?
Minister reply
We have set up two specific schemes for Afghans: the Afghan relocation and assistance policy (ARAP), which is an uncapped relocation scheme for Afghans who directly supported the United Kingdom Government and military efforts in Afghanistan. Approximately 11,000 people have arrived through that scheme.
Question
This heartbreaking tragedy comes immediately after the Prime Minister’s statement yesterday. This Government’s policy is cruel, inhumane and puts people at risk of danger, exploitation and death. Will the Home Secretary consider proposals being made by a number of agencies such as a safe passage visa?
Minister reply
What is cruel and inhumane is desperate people being conned into handing over large sums of money and making a treacherous journey on land and sea for a better life in the UK. That is not lawful, it is not moral and must be stopped.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. May I offer my sympathies to grieving families? Will the Secretary of State put more teeth behind patrols to get at organised criminal gangs involved in these schemes?
Minister reply
There is a huge amount of operational collaboration pursuant to the new deal agreed with my French counterpart last month. It will see UK Border Force officers side by side with their French equivalents, looking and analysing, sharing intelligence and working hand in hand.
Shadow Comment
Yvette Cooper
Shadow Comment
The shadow home secretary expresses her condolences and thanks rescuers, stressing that criminal gangs profit from these crossings. She criticises the lack of action against smuggling gangs, noting only three convictions per month despite thousands at risk. She calls for clarification on additional funding for the NCA and questions about the small boats operational command’s nature and leadership. She asks about French patrols, safe legal routes for children joining family in UK, and targets for clearing asylum backlog, emphasising comprehensive action against criminal gangs to prevent further lives lost.
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