Written question asked by Lord Rosser (Labour) on Monday, 27 June 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 July 2022. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Monday, 11 July 2022 on behalf of the Home Office.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons the number of people reaching the UK via the English Channel in small boats has been rising since 2019.

Answer: These crossings are illegal, dangerous and unnecessary. France is a safe country with a fully-functioning asylum system, as are multiple countries in Europe through which these people have travelled. Our asylum system is broken – that is why the UK has been so attractive to those who could otherwise be assured of international protection in the safe countries of Europe – but through the Nationality and Borders Act we are getting it fixed. Our joint work with France is seeing more and more crossing attempts prevented before departure. Both the UK and France are committed to reducing these crossings attempts and to pursuing the criminal gangs who endanger people for profit.

Secondary information