Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

English Channel: Illegal Small Boat Crossings

Monday 29 July 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps include establishing a new border security command with additional cross-border police and new counter-terror powers.
  • Home Secretary emphasizes working with European police forces across Europe to pursue criminal gangs involved in dangerous boat crossings.
  • Commitment to security safeguards includes setting up a new border security command and implementing counter-terror powers in legislation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Migrants & Borders
Context

Boats carrying illegal migrants have been crossing the English Channel, posing security risks and putting lives at risk. Criminal gangs are exploiting this situation for profit.

Question

What steps she is taking to tackle illegal crossings of the channel in small boats?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

Small boat crossings undermine our security and put lives at risk. Criminal gangs are profiting from this trade in human lives. That is why we are establishing a new border security command with additional cross-border police, and new counter-terror powers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify the exact steps or timeline for implementing these measures

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

Six boats carrying illegal migrants crossed the English Channel on Saturday, and reports suggest another four have done so today. The French authorities are reportedly escorting these migrants into British waters.

Question

Does the Home Secretary agree that it is time to stop paying the French any more money until they stop being complicit in this evil trade?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The hon. Member will know that these boat crossings are extremely dangerous. Criminal gangs are deliberately cramming boats to maximise their profits. That is why we need the new border security command and to work with European police forces right across Europe, to pursue the gangs and prevent the boats from leaving the French coast.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address stopping payments to France but emphasized cooperation with EU police forces

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Chris Murray Lab Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The Home Secretary is under pressure to improve security at the border between France and the United Kingdom, where illegal boat crossings are a significant issue.

Question

What steps will the Home Secretary take to reach out to France and Belgium in order to secure the border?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

We are already in touch with leaders in France and Italy, right across Europe, so that we can strengthen co-operation. We have strengthened our presence in Europol and operational taskforces to pursue the gangs who facilitate dangerous boat crossings.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps or agreements with French and Belgian authorities

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Thomas Tugendhat Con Tonbridge
Immigration Justice & Courts Community Security
Context

The Home Secretary is under scrutiny regarding potential security risks posed by individuals who might enter the UK through a deal with European countries to return failed asylum seekers.

Question

Does she accept that under any deal, some of those sent to the United Kingdom from the EU could harbour extremist ideologies or pose a security threat? Will she commit to ensuring strong safeguards?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

There will always need to be proper safeguards on security, including security checks. We are setting up a new border security command and counter-terror powers in legislation. Returns of failed asylum seekers have dropped since Labour's last government; we want to increase returns.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly commit to specific safeguards for individuals entering the UK through deals with European countries

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email