Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Monday, 22 January 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 February 2024. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Monday, 5 February 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Tunisia: Migrants

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of Tunisia in preventing movement across the Mediterranean of migrants seeking to reach Europe and potentially the United Kingdom.

Answer: The Government of Tunisia is facing a challenging situation with regards to irregular migration flows into and from the country. More than 95,000 people crossed the Mediterranean Sea from Tunisia to Italy in 2023. Efforts to prevent crossings are improving, despite the scale of the challenge and the resources necessary to effectively do this. To support these efforts, the UK is working with the relevant authorities, and is funding an assisted voluntary returns programme in Tunisia, alongside likeminded partners, to support the safe return of migrants from Tunisia to their countries of origin.

Secondary information