Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

People Traffickers: Prosecution Rates

Wednesday 7 December 2022 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Prosecutions for illegal entry and facilitating illegal entry have increased by 250% since the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 was enacted.
  • Government works with international partners through the CPS criminal justice adviser in France and Eurojust for cross-border cooperation.
  • Prosecutions for people trafficking have increased by 48% in 2021-22 due to collaboration between the police and prosecutors.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Randall
Immigration Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question is prompted by concerns about the number of prosecutions related to illegal immigration and people trafficking. The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 was recently enacted, aiming to address these issues.

Question

What steps are being taken to increase prosecution rates for (a) small boat gangs and (b) other people traffickers? Since the enactment of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, there is a need to ensure effective prosecution of illegal entry and facilitating illegal entry.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Since the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 was enacted, prosecutions for illegal entry and facilitating illegal entry have increased by 250%. The government is working to stop life-threatening crossings and prosecute the gangs behind them.

Answered
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Q2 Sally-Ann Hart
Crime & Law Enforcement Foreign Affairs
Context

Organised illegal immigration is a transnational issue, requiring collaboration across Europe. The question aims to understand the steps being taken to share intelligence and resources.

Question

What steps are being taken to work with partners across Europe to share intelligence and resources for prosecuting criminals involved in people-smuggling? Organised crime groups operate internationally; therefore, cross-border cooperation is essential.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Government routinely works with international partners through the CPS criminal justice adviser in France who supports prosecutions on both sides of the channel. Collaboration also occurs through Eurojust for sharing evidence-gathering where appropriate.

Partly answered

How: Working Closely, Collaboration

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Q3 Andrew Lewer Con
Asylum & Refugees Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

There is concern about the capacity to handle genuine asylum seekers and the need to increase prosecutions for those involved in exploitative people trafficking.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Attorney General to increase prosecution rates for those behind exploitative people-trafficking from high-volume but safe countries? Protecting capacity for genuine asylum seekers requires increased action against traffickers.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The rate of prosecutions for people trafficking has increased by 48% in 2021-22 due to intensive collaboration between the police and prosecutors.

Answered
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Q4 Tom Randall
Migrants & Borders Justice & Courts
Context

There is anger and frustration about the small boats issue, prompting a request for assurance that frontline operatives are collaborating on investigations and prosecutions.

Question

What assurance can be given regarding collaboration between frontline operatives in investigating and prosecuting pilots of small boats? Many people feel frustrated by the ongoing issues with small boat activity.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The Crown Prosecution Service is working closely with Border Force and immigration colleagues to tackle this dangerous offending. The Solicitor General, Immigration Minister, and I met a group of these colleagues recently and were impressed by their determination to work together.

Partly answered

How: Working Closely, Impressed

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Q5 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

Over the past seven years, £300 million has been paid to the French authorities to try to stop illegal immigration from France. The question seeks an assessment on whether this expenditure was value for money.

Question

Does the Attorney General think that paying over £300 million to the French authorities over the past seven years to prevent illegal immigration is value for money? Recent payments raise questions about their effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

It is important that we work closely with the French authorities to ensure prosecutions can take place on both sides of the channel and stamp out illegal activity.

Not addressed: value for money assessment

How: Stamp Out Illegal Activity

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Q6 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

The Police Service of Northern Ireland raided 27 brothels, indicating ongoing issues related to people trafficking. The question seeks details on discussions and future efforts against this problem.

Question

What discussions have the Minister had with the PSNI about trafficking in Northern Ireland? Will time be devoted to tackling UK-wide trafficking problems with the PSNI? Recent raids highlight significant concerns.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The prosecutors have been working closely with all law enforcement agencies to provide early advice in modern slavery cases, which has led to an increase in evidence-led prosecutions. I look forward to continuing work on this issue with the hon. Gentleman in the future.

Partly answered

How: Working Closely, Look Forward

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