The UK works closely with the French Government and French law enforcement partners to prevent dangerous small boat crossings and tackle the criminal gangs that facilitate them.

Since the election, joint work with France has prevented more than 48,000 attempted crossings and resulted in the seizure of over 1,100 boats and engines. Operational decisions in French territorial waters remain a matter for the French authorities but reports of them assisting migrant journeys is a mischaracterisation of their activity.

Through the Home Secretary's latest deal we have strengthened this cooperation through increased French law enforcement deployments, specialist policing units, enhanced surveillance and intelligence sharing. France has also reviewed its maritime approach and authorised new interventions at sea to intercept taxi boats and prevent dangerous crossings.

The Government discusses the international protection system regularly with international partners. As indicated previously, in the answer of 7 July 2026 to Question HL1510, the former Foreign Secretary met the UN High Commissioner for Refugees on 16 June 2026, where they discussed the importance of maintaining an effective international protection system, while also addressing abuse of asylum systems and maintaining public confidence. The Government continues to engage the UN Refugee Agency, refugee-hosting countries and like-minded partners on the continued relevance of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.

There are no crown dependencies in the Caribbean region.

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from Ireland to the UK, with no immigration checks being undertaken on the Northern Ireland-Ireland land border. The UK does however operate intelligence-led operational activity on CTA routes – away from the land border. This is to detect those who intend to abuse CTA arrangements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.

In support of this the UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. A key focus of that collaboration is our shared commitment to protect the CTA from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens. Discussions are ongoing, including through the Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF), an official-level forum co-chaired by the UK Home Office and Ireland's Department of Justice.

The Government does not routinely publish details of these discussions or any measures under consideration. However, where appropriate, information on joint activity or agreed measures may be announced publicly.

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys from Ireland to the UK, with no immigration checks being undertaken on the Northern Ireland-Ireland land border. The UK does however operate intelligence-led operational activity on CTA routes – away from the land border. This is to detect those who intend to abuse CTA arrangements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.

In support of this the UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. A key focus of that collaboration is our shared commitment to protect the CTA from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens. Discussions are ongoing, including through the Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF), an official-level forum co-chaired by the UK Home Office and Ireland's Department of Justice.

The Government does not routinely publish details of these discussions or any measures under consideration. However, where appropriate, information on joint activity or agreed measures may be announced publicly.

Defence keeps all spending, including Army training, under review to ensure the highest priorities are pursued in the face of an ever-changing threat.

Defence continues to prioritise training that delivers the greatest operational effect, while protecting essential readiness, operational commitments, safety-critical activity and our NATO commitments.

The Army continues to meet its operational requirements while adapting training to reflect lessons identified from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Through the Defence Investment Plan, Defence is investing £2 billion over 15 years to transform British Army training.

The UK Government continues to engage with Mauritius on issues related to the UK-Mauritius Chagos Treaty.  We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls of individuals arriving in the UK by air or sea from within the CTA, and no immigration checks are undertaken at the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.

There is a high level of cooperation on migration and border security between the UK and Ireland to identify and tackle migration trends as they emerge. As per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the previous Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing.

As part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements, the UK does not operate routine immigration controls of individuals arriving in the UK by air or sea from within the CTA, and no immigration checks are undertaken at the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border.

There is a high level of cooperation on migration and border security between the UK and Ireland to identify and tackle migration trends as they emerge. As per the commitment made at the 2026 UK-Ireland Summit, between the previous Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, the UK and Ireland continue to work together, which includes expanding immigration data sharing.

I refer the Noble Lord to the FCDO travel advice for Gibraltar: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/gibraltar/entry-requirements UK citizens entering Gibraltar must have a passport issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after they depart either Gibraltar or the Schengen Area. They can spend up to 90 days in Gibraltar without a visa. This period will count towards the 90-day limit in any 180-day period for time spent in the Schengen Area. On arriving at the airport, they undergo two checks: Gibraltar immigration controls performed by the Gibraltar authorities, and Schengen immigration controls performed by the Spanish authorities.

The Home Office is responsible for delivering asylum policy and ensuring eligible destitute asylum seekers are accommodated.

Eligibility for social housing in England is tightly controlled. If a person's immigration status does not allow them recourse to public funds then they are not eligible for an allocation of social housing. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.

Where foreign nationals are eligible, they will have their housing needs considered on the same basis as other eligible applicants in accordance with the local council’s housing allocation scheme. People who are homeless, in overcrowded housing or who need to move for medical reasons are prioritised.

I refer the noble Lord to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry (Mr Pollard), in the House of Commons on 8 June 2026 to the hon. Member for Huntington (Mr Obese-Jecty) in response to Question 4887.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-05-29/4887

I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that I cannot provide the specific details requested as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces.

My Lords, I start by paying tribute to the three members of the Royal Navy who died during a helicopter training exercise in the early hours of Wednesday near Sourton in Devon. The families have requested a period of grace before further details are released, but I am sure that the thoughts of the whole House are with their families and friends at this terrible time. This tragic news comes after the Defence Secretary sadly announced on Monday the death of Lance Corporal Freeman during a joint training exercise in Iraq. I am sure that Members of the House will want to extend their deepest sympathies to his loved ones and those of the American service person who died in the same incident.

The UK maintains a network of bases across the region. They include the United Kingdom Naval Support Facility in Bahrain and Donnelly Lines at Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, while the UK Joint Logistics Support Base at Port Duqm in Oman opened in 2018, a port that is large enough to accommodate Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. This ongoing commitment to the region is demonstrated by our response to the current Strait of Hormuz challenge, where the UK and France are leading planning for a multinational military mission.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

The Government has not asked the government of Greece to provide naval protection to UK interests on the island of Cyprus.

On 13 March 2026 the Secretary of State for Defence, and the Irish Minister for Defence announced the signing of the refreshed UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The refreshed MoU will see the UK Armed Forces and the Irish Defence Forces strengthen their maritime security cooperation to better protect critical undersea infrastructure and develop improved response mechanisms to maritime security incidents. This will strengthen UK-Ireland naval cooperation however UK does not provide defence cover for Ireland. Matters relating to Ireland’s defence remain for the Irish Government.

This government upholds the democratic right that people must be free to peacefully express their views, but they must do so within the bounds of the law.

Where the activity of protestors breaks the law, the police have the government’s backing to use their powers to respond.

It would not be appropriate for Ministers to intervene in those operational decisions, but we continue to work closely with policing to ensure they have the right capabilities and support in place to keep the public safe and uphold the law.

The Home Secretary launched an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation on 5 October 2025 led by Lord Ken Macdonald of River Glaven KC. The review will ensure police powers remain fit for purpose, are used consistently, and strike the right balance between protecting the public and upholding the right to lawful protest.  It is expected to report in the spring.

Economic forecasts, including assessments of the impact of policy decisions, are the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

The OBR is required to produce a Forecast Evaluation Report (FER) each year under the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act (2011). The OBR is required to explain the reasons for divergence between its forecasts and subsequent outturns, to support future forecast improvements.

The latest Forecast Evaluation Report was published in July 2025 and can be found on their website.