Asylum Seekers: Channel Crossings Debate

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Department: Home Office

Asylum Seekers: Channel Crossings

Lord Cormack Excerpts
Thursday 7th September 2023

(1 year, 2 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Cormack Portrait Lord Cormack (Con)
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Could my noble friend expand on the answer that he gave the noble Lord, Lord German, about the 54%? A number of us were slightly baffled by what he said—could he expand on that?

Lord Murray of Blidworth Portrait Lord Murray of Blidworth (Con)
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Of asylum claims made in the 12-month period ending June 2023, 46% were made by those who were entering illegally via a small boat. The remainder were made up of other types of illegal entry—for example, in a lorry, or those who have come to Britain by a lawful route with their tourist, work or study visa and then claimed asylum when they were here, or overstayed a visa when they were here legally. I hope that explains to my noble friend how that figure was arrived at.