Asked by: David Reed (Conservative - Exmouth and Exeter East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of small boat arrivals were removed in 2025.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Around 7% of individuals removed or returned in the year ending March 2026 had arrived in the UK via small boat. We are targeting those behind these unacceptable crossings, with Organised Immigration Crime arrests up 55%, wider disruptions to criminal smuggling networks up nearly 50%, and small boat arrivals down around 40% so far this year.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to help reduce the volume of channel crossings.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The Government is taking decisive action to reduce Channel crossings by strengthening border security, intensifying cooperation with our international partners such as France, and targeting the criminal gangs who facilitate these dangerous journeys. We have also implemented new powers under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 including new powers to target smuggling networks and seize evidence used to facilitate crossings.
Cooperation has also been strengthened with France, including increased funding for policing, surveillance, and intelligence activity in northern France to stop boats before they launch. Joint UK-France action prevented over 22,000 attempted crossings in 2025, and the UK continues to work with international partners to disrupt smuggling networks, tackle illegal migration routes, and increase returns.
Alongside this, the Government is pursuing reforms to the asylum and returns system to reduce the incentives for dangerous illegal migration and restore order to the immigration system. More on this has been set out at this link.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 27 May 2026 to Question 2108 on Undocumented Migrants: Statistics, whether statistics on migrants crossing the English Channel include any estimate of those arriving undetected by (a) French and (b) UK authorities.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Information about what is included in our daily statistics on illegal crossing of the channel by small boats, including the definition of small boat and type of landing, can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats-last-7-days#about-the-data.
Data published on migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats does not include individuals who arrive in the UK on larger vessels, such as go-fast craft, yachts (except those arriving in the area of operations of small boats), motor cruisers, tugs and fishing vessels – although these are rarely used by people arriving via illegal routes at present. This data also does not include those who arrive in the UK clandestinely on larger vessels not referenced above, including where hidden in a vehicle on a ferry.
We work closely with French counterparts to assure the daily data but, as set out in the publication notes, it is taken from provisional UK and French operational datasets and is subject to change.
Statistics related to other illegal entry can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2026/how-many-people-come-to-the-uk-via-illegal-entry-routes.
The statistics presented here relate to the number of people detected on, or shortly after, arrival to the UK through various illegal methods of entry. They do not include all those who enter the UK through illegal routes.
It is not possible to know the exact number of people who enter the UK via illegal routes because some people will successfully evade border controls and remain in the UK undetected. We have not produced any official estimates for this number.
Data on recorded detections in the UK within 72 hours of arrival and recorded detections at UK ports, which may include arrivals via yachts, ferries and fishing boats, are published in Table IER_D01 available on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables#illegal-entry-routes.
Latest data are up to the end of March 2026.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 27 May 2026, to Question 2108, on Undocumented Migrants: Statistics, what assessment her Department has made of the accuracy of the data provided by the French Government.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Information about what is included in our daily statistics on illegal crossing of the channel by small boats, including the definition of small boat and type of landing, can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats-last-7-days#about-the-data.
Data published on migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats does not include individuals who arrive in the UK on larger vessels, such as go-fast craft, yachts (except those arriving in the area of operations of small boats), motor cruisers, tugs and fishing vessels – although these are rarely used by people arriving via illegal routes at present. This data also does not include those who arrive in the UK clandestinely on larger vessels not referenced above, including where hidden in a vehicle on a ferry.
We work closely with French counterparts to assure the daily data but, as set out in the publication notes, it is taken from provisional UK and French operational datasets and is subject to change.
Statistics related to other illegal entry can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2026/how-many-people-come-to-the-uk-via-illegal-entry-routes.
The statistics presented here relate to the number of people detected on, or shortly after, arrival to the UK through various illegal methods of entry. They do not include all those who enter the UK through illegal routes.
It is not possible to know the exact number of people who enter the UK via illegal routes because some people will successfully evade border controls and remain in the UK undetected. We have not produced any official estimates for this number.
Data on recorded detections in the UK within 72 hours of arrival and recorded detections at UK ports, which may include arrivals via yachts, ferries and fishing boats, are published in Table IER_D01 available on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables#illegal-entry-routes.
Latest data are up to the end of March 2026.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 27 May 2026 to Question 2108 on Undocumented Migrants: Statistics, whether any statistics on migrants crossing the English Channel include those arriving in (a) yachts, (b) ferries and (c) fishing boats.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Information about what is included in our daily statistics on illegal crossing of the channel by small boats, including the definition of small boat and type of landing, can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats-last-7-days#about-the-data.
Data published on migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats does not include individuals who arrive in the UK on larger vessels, such as go-fast craft, yachts (except those arriving in the area of operations of small boats), motor cruisers, tugs and fishing vessels – although these are rarely used by people arriving via illegal routes at present. This data also does not include those who arrive in the UK clandestinely on larger vessels not referenced above, including where hidden in a vehicle on a ferry.
We work closely with French counterparts to assure the daily data but, as set out in the publication notes, it is taken from provisional UK and French operational datasets and is subject to change.
Statistics related to other illegal entry can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2026/how-many-people-come-to-the-uk-via-illegal-entry-routes.
The statistics presented here relate to the number of people detected on, or shortly after, arrival to the UK through various illegal methods of entry. They do not include all those who enter the UK through illegal routes.
It is not possible to know the exact number of people who enter the UK via illegal routes because some people will successfully evade border controls and remain in the UK undetected. We have not produced any official estimates for this number.
Data on recorded detections in the UK within 72 hours of arrival and recorded detections at UK ports, which may include arrivals via yachts, ferries and fishing boats, are published in Table IER_D01 available on GOV.UK at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables#illegal-entry-routes.
Latest data are up to the end of March 2026.
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of cooperation with the government of Belgium in deterring the illegal crossing of the English Channel by migrants.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is working closely with European partners, sharing intelligence and disrupting organisers upstream to prevent further launches and deter illegal crossings of the Channel.
The Border Security Command has been designed to rapidly pivot to new threats and gang tactics as they emerge. The rise of small boat launches from the Belgian coast is evidence of smugglers adapting and the UK Government is determined to provide any necessary support to prevent Belgium becoming a viable launch location.
The UK works closely with Belgian authorities and on 12 December 2025, our respective Prime Minister’s signed a joint statement which committed to stepping up our joint action to prevent irregular migration through closer UK–Belgium cooperation, including on returns, information sharing, security technology and operations.
Minister Norris visited Belgium in March and held discussions with the Belgian Government and law enforcement agencies to tackle small boat launches. We continue to deepen our bilateral, regional and multilateral engagement to tackle root causes and strengthen law enforcement cooperation.
Law Enforcement teams have already been bolstered along the Belgium coast and along the French-Belgian border. Alongside this, the NCA has increased its overseas presence - including officers deployed across Europe and within Europol - ensuring faster intelligence flow and stronger joint operational effect.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the cost of the associated overheads related to the reconnaissance aircraft which are involved in monitoring and identifying small boats carrying migrants, per annum, since the contract was signed.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The Home Office contracts an aerial surveillance capability in order to detect and monitor people making dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossings of the Channel in small boats, rather than paying for the individual costs for this capability. Part of this capability is for manned surveillance aircraft provided by PAL Aerospace. This service was contracted on 29 October 2024 and lasts until 30 November 2026. The total value of the contract is £54m. Since 29 October 2024 nearly 56,000 lives have been saved as a result of these Channel crossings being detected at the earliest possible opportunity.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the cost of the reconnaissance aircraft, which are involved in monitoring and identifying small boats carrying migrants, per annum, since the contract was signed.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The Home Office contracts an aerial surveillance capability in order to detect and monitor people making dangerous, illegal and unnecessary crossings of the Channel in small boats, rather than paying for the individual costs for this capability. Part of this capability is for manned surveillance aircraft provided by PAL Aerospace. This service was contracted on 29 October 2024 and lasts until 30 November 2026. The total value of the contract is £54m. Since 29 October 2024 nearly 56,000 lives have been saved as a result of these Channel crossings being detected at the earliest possible opportunity.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled New UK-France agreement to reduce illegal crossings, published on 23 April 2026, what estimate she has made of the proportional reduction in small boat crossings resulting from that agreement over each year of its duration.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Illegal small boat crossings are driven by organised criminal gangs and have cost lives. The result is a severe strain on both our asylum system and our wider social contract. Since 2021, over 400,000 people have claimed asylum in the UK. At its peak in 2023, there were 400 asylum hotels across the country, at a daily cost of £9 million, paid for by the taxpayer. This Government’s determination to crack down on small boats is clear. No one should be making dangerous journeys, undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. We must restore order and control to our borders. That means bearing down on these dangerous crossings and bringing people smugglers to justice. The United Kingdom and France have signed an agreement to strengthen operations to combat illegal migration in northern France to prevent crossings to the UK with a significant increase in dedicated law enforcement, technological and intelligence resources.
The new multi-year partnership with France represents a necessary step-change. French beaches will see a surge in law enforcement, intelligence and military officers to track down illegal migrants and stop them boarding boats in Northern France. For the first time ever, the funding uplift will be conditional on results and reducing illegal migration. Of the total £662 million that compose the new funding arrangement, the UK has committed to a foundation fund of £501m over three years and a new flexible fund of £50m in year 1 and £110m in years 2 and 3. If the new tactics are not successful, funding will stop after one year.
The new agreement reflects sustained ministerial and operational engagement, including the UK-France Leaders Declaration and close working between the Border Security Command, the NCA, and French law enforcement and maritime authorities. Our close engagement with France since the general election has led to improvement of the law enforcement response in northern France, such as the introduction of specialist, dedicated police units. It has also led to an improved understanding of what delivers the most impact.
Joint action is already delivering results. Over 42,000 crossing attempts have been prevented since the election. Joint law enforcement operations have also seen 480 migrant traffickers arrested in 2025 alone. However, despite these successes, we must not be complacent. I acknowledge that there is no silver bullet in tackling this crisis. We must go further and faster to tackle this issue together with France, which is why this deal is so important.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled New UK-France agreement to reduce illegal crossings, published on 23 April 2026, what mechanisms are in place to monitor the productivity and operational outputs of the additional personnel.
Answered by Alex Norris - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
The United Kingdom and France have signed an agreement to strengthen operations to combat illegal migration in northern France to prevent crossings to the United Kingdom with a significant increase in dedicated law enforcement, technological and intelligence resources. The new funding arrangement represents an evolution from previous iterations. For the first time ever, the funding uplift will be conditional on results and reducing illegal migration. Of the total £662 million that compose the new funding arrangement, the UK has committed to a foundation fund of £501m over three years and a new flexible fund of £50m in year 1 and £110m in years 2 and 3.
This new deal is underpinned by robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure every intervention is evidence-led and responsive to changing circumstances. The innovations in the flexible fund will be reviewed annually. If the new tactics are not successful, funding will stop after one year. Every pound spent will target results, maximising the effectiveness of UK investment to reduce small boat crossings.
We are working with France to develop the right metrics to evaluate success – including measures like arrests and disruptions. This is a partnership – we are working together on a shared problem.