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Written question asked by Sarah Pochin (Reform UK) 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 Anna Turley (Labour) on Friday, 11 September 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to seek additional agreements with European countries on the return of people who enter the United Kingdom illegally.

Answer

Over 80,000 individuals with no right to remain in the UK, including those working illegally and foreign criminals, have been returned or removed from the UK since the 2024 election. This includes 13,129 enforced returns and 12,446 voluntary returns to European countries.

Illegal migration is a shared European challenge that requires a coordinated response. The UK’s cooperation with France has resulted in an over 40% reduction in small boat arrivals this year, and the transfer of over 1400 individuals under our UK-France Returns Treaty. We remain committed to working closely with European partners to find a solution to this shared challenge.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
25895
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
EU countries Undocumented migrants English Channel
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk