Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Jo White (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking with her French counterpart to tackle encampments of people whose intention is to cross the channel to gain access to the UK illegally.

Answer: The Home Secretary works closely with the French Minister of the Interior to tackle illegal migration and the organised criminal gangs that facilitate it. The three-year funding deal, signed by the Home Secretary and her French counterpart in April, is preventing dangerous small boat crossings, saving lives and tackling organised immigration crime. This deal significantly has significantly boosted law enforcement boots on the ground, who are now supported by enhanced drone surveillance, helicopters and camera systems. UK-France intelligence sharing has increased to target smuggling networks at every stage of the route. French authorities are using new maritime tactics to target so-called taxi boats. Since March, 12 vessels have been intercepted on the water before they could collect additional migrants along the coastline. Together, these measures aim to stop boats before launch and make these perilous crossings less viable. The agreement also supports expanded detention and removals capacity in France, alongside enhanced operational activity to disrupt migrant movements and smuggling networks across the route.

Secondary information