PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Undocumented Migrants: English Channel (1 July 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of people who have entered the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats in the last five years.

Asked by:
Sir John Hayes (Conservative)

Information regarding the number of migrants who have crossed the Channel via small boat, can be found using the following links:

https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/home-affairs/Correspondence-17-19/19-03-05-Letter-from-Sir-Philip-Rutnam-KCB-Permanent-Secretary-Home-Office-Migrant-boats-in-the-channel.pdf

http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home -affairs-committee/the-work-of-the-home-secretary/oral/103955.htm

In April a parliamentary question was tabled by Tracey Crouch MP asking the UK government how many people have crossed the English Channel to enter the UK in January to March of 2020. The answer to this question can be found on the parliament website at the following link:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-04-20/37575/

The Home Office also provides information on topical subjects via a blog posted on gov.uk:

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2020/03/05/media-factsheet-small-boats/

The Government is working flat out to put a complete stop to these crossings, and all attempts to reach the UK clandestinely and action is being taken on a daily basis.

The National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement, Border Force and the UK Police are working closely with French authorities to crack down on the criminals who facilitate the crossings.

This law enforcement response is delivering results. French law enforcement prevented over 1000 people from crossing by small boats in April and May 2020.

Answered by:
Chris Philp (Conservative)
10 July 2020