Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

People Smuggling

Monday 31 March 2025 · 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 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial summit involves 40 countries to tackle people smuggling and illegal immigration.
  • Response highlights international cooperation and addressing the root causes of migration.
  • Minister emphasizes returning individuals who do not have the right to be in the country.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP addressed the government's efforts to combat people smuggling, referencing an ongoing summit and noting cross-government collaboration is crucial.

Question

I thank the Minister for that response and welcome the increased co-operation with allies on this vital issue. It is critical that we stop the dangerous crossings, but without tackling the problem at its source, with aid to tackle famine and conflict and by providing safe legal routes, do we not risk the crisis continuing? How will the Minister work with colleagues across Government to address those factors to ensure that we tackle the crisis fully?

Answer from The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)

The summit is dealing with source countries. We are looking at how we can co-operate with countries all the way along the routes used by smuggling gangs to ensure that the right messages, rather than very slick organised immigration gang advertising, are conveyed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific internal government collaboration plans or address aid and legal routes as requested.

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Q2 Chris Murray Lab Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP emphasized the serious nature of people smuggling, highlighting the exploitation and danger it poses to vulnerable individuals.

Question

People smugglers do not just put the immigration system in jeopardy; they exploit the vulnerable and they put lives in danger. There is nothing progressive about allowing the vulnerable to be exploited by these smugglers. Does the Minister agree that we should be straining every sinew to crack down on these gangs and can she update us on her meetings today on this topic?

Answer from The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)

I agree strongly with my hon. Friend and that is why today’s immigration summit, where 40 countries will be co-operating and attending, is such an important event. Today we also announced that, since we came into government, we have returned more than 24,000 people who have no right to be here.

Answered
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Q3 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP raised concerns about the cost and number of people entering illegally since Labour's government took office, emphasizing public sentiment against illegal immigration.

Question

Since the Labour Government came to power, more than 30,000 people have entered our country illegally. The Prime Minister says he is very angry about that, but he is not as angry as the British taxpayer, who has to fork out £1.2 billion a year to keep those illegal invaders in our country. Does the Minister agree that anybody arriving here illegally should be detained and deported?

Answer from The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)

We have a duty to ensure that those arriving on our shores who claim asylum are properly processed. The Conservatives prevented themselves from doing that by becoming obsessed with the Rwanda scheme and they left us with a huge backlog. We will speed up immigration processing so that we can deal with those people, protect those who have a right to be here and send back those who have failed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the question of detaining and deporting illegal entrants but provided context on backlog issues.

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Q4 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Immigration Migrants & Borders
Context

The MP challenged the effectiveness of gimmicks like Rwanda, suggesting international cooperation is more effective for tackling illegal immigration gangs.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is not gimmicks such as Rwanda but international co-operation that will fundamentally deal with the illegal gangs who are facilitating crossings? Is that not why we should welcome today’s summit, at which people are coming together to co-operate and to tackle those gangs?

Answer from The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)

My hon. Friend is exactly right. These criminals are cross-national, very sophisticated and operate across borders. In order to respond properly, we have to do the same, and that is what today’s summit is helping us to co-ordinate.

Answered
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