Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many EU citizens have been denied entry to the UK at the border since 1 January; and, of those denied entry, how many were detained.

EU citizens are our friends and neighbours and we want them to stay in the UK, which is why we launched our ground-breaking EU Settlement Scheme. Those who do not have status under the EUSS, can enter the UK for up to six months as visitors, visa free. However, now freedom of movement has ended, those coming to work or study must prove they meet our entry requirements. We urge people to check the requirements before travelling.

Border Force treat all arrivals with respect and consider each passengers situation on an individual basis to check that everyone entering the UK has the right to do so.

We have issued instructions to our officers to reinforce the principle that in all cases there exists a presumption in favour of bail.

The Home Office published data on port returns and passengers initially refused entry which include Data on refusals on EU nationals.

The latest information include date up to December 2020 can be found at: passengers Initially refused Dec 2020 & returns data

The next publication, which includes data for the first quarter of 2021 will be published on the 27 May 2021.