On 6 November, the Border Security and Asylum Minister answered an Urgent Question on small boat crossings.
I am glad to hear that the new Government is already taking steps to strengthen our borders, such as establishing the Border Security Command, recruiting additional Home Office staff, and assigning additional funding to bolster border security. This has already resulted in 9,400 recorded returns from the UK since July.
As set out in the King’s Speech, the Government also intends to bring forward legislation to give stronger powers to the border security system, so that organised crime can be properly investigated and prosecuted.
Reaffirming the Government’s decision to make tackling people smuggling gangs a top priority, the Minister stated that this directly impacts our border security and puts hundreds of lives at risk. She also noted that this issue is an international problem which requires co-operation and partnership with other countries, in Europe and beyond. The Minister confirmed that a new anti-smuggling action plan has been agreed with G7 partners, but also highlighted the importance of this Government’s aim to continue to press for a stronger and more integrated global response to organised immigration crime.
Please be assured that I will continue to support efforts to tackle immigration crime.
