Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to prevent illegal immigration, and (2) to balance immigration enforcement efforts with the protection of human rights.

Since entering office we have already launched the Border Security Command, led by Martin Hewitt with up to £75 million in new investment to build capability, taking the fight to criminals in Europe and beyond and directly targeting the criminal gangs behind small boat crossings.

People who require, but do not have, leave to enter or remain in the UK are expected to leave the UK. If they fail to do so, the Home Office will enforce their removal with all the appropriate safeguards in place. We have launched a major returns and enforcement programme to increase these removals. The Home Office only enforces removal when it and the courts conclude that it is safe to do so, with a safe route of return.