Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Anneliese Dodds and Jodie Gosling

Tuesday 22nd October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Jodie Gosling (Nuneaton) (Lab)]

7. What steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help tackle the drivers of illegal migration into the UK.

[The Minister for Development (Anneliese Dodds)]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the issue of illegal migration. This Government are strengthening key international relationships to tackle organised immigration crime, increase returns and secure our borders. My Department is also funding activity to address the drivers of irregular migration by improving the prospects of people in their home region, tackling humanitarian crises and targeting trafficking.

[Jodie Gosling]

Will the Minister please outline the ways in which the new Government are working with our French partners to tackle the shared challenges of dangerous channel crossings?

[Anneliese Dodds]

The UK Government have been absolutely determined to work with our key partners on these questions. My Department has also focused on ensuring support for what is often called upstream migration—the drivers of the reasons why people feel they have to leave their home country or region in the first place. That has included, for example, support to help refugees in Jordan to stay in the region from which they come and support for the UN’s migration multi-partner trust fund.