Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Channel Crossings

Monday 15 September 2025 · 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 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The National Crime Agency has led 347 disruptions of immigration crime networks, a 40% increase from the previous year.
  • The Minister is in touch with French counterparts to secure borders and assist partners abroad.
  • The Home Secretary aims to tackle illegal immigration through measures that will deter people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Migrants & Borders
Context

The question follows recent increases in migrant crossings and a reported lack of action from Labour MPs.

Question

What steps she is taking to help prevent migrants from crossing the English Channel illegally. I have it on good authority that the people smugglers in northern Europe are absolutely delighted with Labour’s new Front-Bench team, and especially with the promotion of the hon. Member for Dover and Deal (Mike Tapp), because they know we will get more of the same from this Labour Government. The boats will keep coming, the boats will get bigger and the people smugglers will make more money.

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)

Under this Government, the National Crime Agency has led 347 disruptions of immigration crime networks—its highest level on record, and a 40% increase on the previous year. We are passing legislation to give both the National Crime Agency and law enforcement more powers to arrest those suspected of facilitating people smuggling at a much earlier stage. The hon. Member is in touch with a bunch of criminals and should contact the National Crime Agency if he has information about such individuals. All he and his party have is rhetoric; it is this Government who will clean up the mess left by the previous administration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the specific ask of what difference she can make compared to her predecessor

How: Accusation

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Q2 Chris Murray Lab Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The Government has signed a deal with France to deport one migrant for every new arrival from the UK, known as the 'one in, one out' policy.

Question

Can the Minister give us an update on how the “one in, one out” deal is going, and has she spoken to her counterparts in France in her new role?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that international co-operation is key to securing our borders and assisting partners abroad. I am already in touch with my French counterparts; the Conservatives failed to achieve a landmark deal despite years of rhetoric, but this Government have done so and are working with France to get the first flights off the ground as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific updates on the 'one in, one out' policy implementation

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Q3 Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin
Migrants & Borders
Context

Previous attempts at deterrents, such as the Rwanda agreement, have been criticized for their ineffectiveness.

Question

When is a deterrent going to be put in place, and what will it look like?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)

It is important not just to prevent criminality but also to hold our country together. The Rwanda agreement was ineffective and 84,000 people crossed into this country during its implementation. I will do whatever it takes to tackle illegal immigration; I am considering measures that will deter people from making the crossing in the first place, which I will update the House on in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about new deterrent measures planned

How: Rhetorical Statement

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Q4 Mike Reader Lab Northampton South
Immigration Community Security
Context

There is concern about public displays of national symbols, such as flags, being used to incite hatred towards immigrant communities.

Question

Does the Home Secretary agree that flags are a symbol of our pride in our country, and they should not be hijacked by plastic patriots and those who do not work in our country’s interest?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)

Flags belong to everyone; they should never become symbols of division. The right to protest is an ancient right in this country and we will protect it, but rhetoric that incites violence or hatred towards other communities must not be allowed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the concern about 'plastic patriots' hijacking national symbols

How: Rhetorical Statement

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Q5 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Immigration Education
Context

Labour plans to repeal powers for scientifically testing the age of arriving migrants, raising concerns about data publication.

Question

Why are the Government doing away with powers that could prevent adult migrants from getting into classrooms with children, and why are they hiding this data from the British people?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)

This Government will be transparent. We will publish relevant data at the appropriate time; nobody who tries to game our system will get away with it, and we strengthen rules rather than weaken them as seen under the Conservatives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific concerns about repealing testing powers or hiding age claim data

How: Accusation

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Q6 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The move-on period extension was effective in providing stability for newly arrived refugees and local communities.

Question

Does the Home Secretary agree that it is better to do what works, both for refugees and for communities welcoming them, and will she look again at reinstating a policy that worked, rather than chasing headlines?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Shabana Mahmood)

We are following what is working. Rather than having an arbitrary time period, we work with local authorities to ensure appropriate move-on periods. People should remain in hotels only as long as necessary; this Government will end the use of asylum hotels.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address re-instituting a proven effective move-on period policy

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