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Closed Take action to tackle illegal crossings over the Channel

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The Government should take action to prevent illegal attempts to enter the UK by crossing the Channel. This should include increased patrols of UK waters, and working with France to try and prevent people making this dangerous journey.

Too many people have lost their lives trying to cross the Channel to reach the UK. This loss of life could be prevented if there were more effective measures to prevent people trying to enter the UK illegally, often using unseaworthy boats.

Patrolling our maritime waters and seeking French co-operation to prevent people from making these journeys should help discourage and prevent people from attempting to come to the UK illegally, and prevent further loss of life.

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  • Related activity

    Government makes a statement about illegal immigration

    On Monday 5 June, the Secretary of State for the Home Office, Suella Braverman MP, made a statement in the House of Commons about illegal migration.

    Following the statement the Minister was questioned by MPs.

    What are Ministerial statements?

    Ministerial statements are a way for Ministers to bring an important matter to the attention of the House.

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    Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.

  • Related activity

    MPs discuss the Illegal Immigration Bill

    On Tuesday 7 March the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Suella Braverman MP, gave a statement to the House of Commons on the Illegal Immigration Bill.

    The Minister updated MPs on the purpose and introduction of the Bill.

    Following the statement the Minister was questioned by MPs.

    What are Ministerial statements?

    Ministerial statements are a way for Ministers to bring an important matter to the attention of the House.

    What will the Illegal Immigration Bill do?

    The Illegal Immigration Bill includes the following measures:

    • The Home Secretary will have a legal duty to remove people who have entered the UK illegally
    • People who come to the UK illegally will be prevented from settling in the country and will face a permanent ban from returning

    • People who come here illegally will have their asylum claims deemed inadmissible and considered in a safe third country

    • Read the announcement of the Illegal Immigration Bill

    • Follow the Bill's progress

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  • Related activity

    MPs investigate Channel crossings, migration and asylum

    The MPs on the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee have been investigating the reasons behind the growth in migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats, and the UK's response to these crossings.

    The Committee has been looking at the role of criminal gangs in facilitating the growth of this form of illegal immigration and the response of UK and French authorities to combat illegal migration and support legal routes to asylum.

    Report on Channel crossings, migration and asylum

    In July, the Home Affairs Committee published a report on Channel crossings, migration and asylum, which concluded that there is no single solution to dealing with irregular migration. The Committee stated that evidence-driven, fully tested policies were most likely to deter dangerous Channel crossings.

    The Government responded to the Committee's report last month, underlining its commitment to tackling illegal migration and stopping dangerous small boats crossings, and setting out its plans to achieve this.

    Evidence session on Channel crossings

    On 22 October the Home Affairs Committee held a further session where it questioned Home Office officials and the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration to examine the current situation with Channel crossings.

    At the session MPs asked about:

    • recent data on Channel crossings over the summer and the response by UK border force and other agencies
    • the changing nationality profile of arrivals
    • progress in working with international partners to combat organised crime groups facilitating channel crossings

    What is the Home Affairs Committee?

    The Home Affairs Committee is a cross-party group of backbench MPs that looks into the work of the Home Office and its associated public bodies.

    The Home Affairs Committee is a select committee. Find out how select committees work.

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    Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.

  • Petition closed

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 1 June 2022.