Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Illegal Migration: Small Boats

Monday 27 November 2023 · 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 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • So far this year, the number of dangerous, illegal crossings of small boats across the English Channel has been reduced by more than a third compared to last year.
  • The UK has reduced grant rates for asylum claims from Albanians from 53% to 19% and added India and Georgia to the list of safe states.
  • The Immigration Minister and the Home Secretary will work closely with the Prime Minister to reduce both legal and illegal migration.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Morris Con
Migrants & Borders
Context

The number of small boats crossing the channel has risen sharply, with nearly a third increase in Europe despite UK efforts.

Question

What progress has been made on stopping small boats transporting migrants across the English Channel? The crossings have increased by nearly a third compared to last year, and they remain dangerous and illegal. What is being done?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

So far this year, we have reduced the number of these dangerous, illegal and completely unnecessary crossings by more than a third compared with last year. We remain focused on delivering our comprehensive plan to stop the boats by breaking the business model of the people smugglers, and we will shortly be piloting emergency legislation through this House.

Answered
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Q2 Jill Mortimer
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

Figures on Thursday revealed a significant increase in immigration to the UK, raising concerns about international treaties and conventions.

Question

With figures showing a skyrocketing level of immigration, is it time to adjust international treaties? The world faces troubled times with mass migration; can we accommodate all those seeking asylum under existing rules?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

My hon. Friend makes a strong point. While some of those coming here have genuine grounds, many are economic migrants making spurious claims. We have reduced grant rates for Albanians from 53% to 19%, and we added India and Georgia to the list of safe states.

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Q3 James Morris Con
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The Home Secretary's statement about the narrative surrounding the Rwanda plan.

Question

Regarding the Rwanda policy, does the Minister agree with the Home Secretary that we have allowed the narrative to be created that this was the be-all and end-all of Government policy? What is our policy on combating boats and illegal migration?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

When my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I set out our comprehensive plan this time last year, it had many facets, one of which—an extremely important component—was our Rwanda plan. We are almost the only country in Europe where illegal entrants are falling by more than a third.

Answered
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Q4 Stephen Kinnock Lab Aberafan Maesteg
Immigration Standards & Ethics
Context

The previous Home Secretary's removal and recent media briefings about legal obligations.

Question

Since the previous Home Secretary was removed, has the Immigration Minister become a law unto himself? Has he briefed the media against his new boss's wishes?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The sad truth is that they have complete disdain for the British public. The Home Secretary and I will do everything in our power to reduce both legal and illegal migration, working closely with the Prime Minister.

Not addressed: Specific questions about the Immigration Minister's authority were not directly addressed

How: Discussing Public Opinion, Working Closely With The Pm

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Q5 Alison Thewliss SNP
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

A recent incident where a woman and man died while attempting to cross the channel in small boats.

Question

Given deaths and injuries among those crossing illegally, will the Immigration Minister consider a humanitarian visa? People risk their lives due to lack of safe routes. How does he address this?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

We are working closely with French authorities to investigate deaths and deter illegal crossings. Regarding safe routes, we have issued over half a million humanitarian visas since 2015, more than at any time in history.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about considering a humanitarian visa was not directly addressed

How: Discussing Collaboration With France, Mentioning Existing Visa Issuance

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Q6 Alison Thewliss SNP
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The question arises from concerns about Afghan refugees, particularly those who served in units set up by Britain. In the first nine months of 2023, only 279 Afghans arrived via safe and legal routes while 17 times as many used small boats to enter the UK.

Question

The Minister is deflecting quite a lot. Government Members would do well to listen because their systems are not working; they are failing people every single day. In the first nine months of 2023, a mere 279 Afghans arrived in the UK by safe and legal routes. For each one, 17 Afghans came across on small boats. Today, The Independent has laid out the story of a mother of four—an Afghan special forces soldier who served in a unit set up by Britain, trained and paid for by the British armed services—whose application under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy was denied, along with many others from commando force 333 and Afghan territorial force 444. Why is the Minister failing so many Afghans?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

We do not encourage anyone, whatever their circumstances, to come across illegally in a small boat. That is a criminal offence and it should not be encouraged. We have supported nearly 25,000 people to come from Afghanistan since the end of the war, which compares extremely favourably to other European countries. We have issued more than half a million humanitarian visas, which is a record we should all be proud of.

Not addressed: Specific denial of applications for Afghan special forces soldiers and commando force 333 members

How: We Do Not Encourage Anyone To Come Across Illegally In A Small Boat, That Is A Criminal Offence

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