Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government pays the RNLI in connection with Channel crossings by asylum seekers.

Any safety of life at sea operations related to attempts to cross the Channel by migrants in small boats are directed and coordinated by HM Coastguard. The Home Office does not provide funding to RNLI but does provide maritime assets and reconnaissance capabilities where necessary for any Coastguard-directed operations.