Thank you for contacting me about migrants crossing the Channel.
I entirely agree with you that that the number of small boat crossings is unacceptable. The Home Secretary has said that we must make this route unviable in order to secure a long-term solution.
A New Plan for Immigration & Nationality and Borders Bill: The current asylum regime is open to abuse and is too inflexible and rigid. I also appreciate the frustration felt by many across the country regarding the vexatious claims in the asylum system.
I welcome the fact that at the heart of the New Plan for Immigration is the simple principle of fairness. I agree with the Home Secretary that access to the UK’s asylum system should be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers.
I know many of my constituents have felt that if an individual illegally enters the UK via a safe country where they could have claimed asylum, they are not seeking refuge from imminent peril but are picking the UK as a preferred destination over others.
Therefore, for the first time, whether an individual has entered the UK legally or illegally will have an impact on how their asylum claim progresses, and on their status in the UK if that claim is successful. Those who succeed with claims having entered illegally will receive a new temporary protection status rather than an automatic right to settle, will be regularly reassessed for removal from the UK, will have limited family reunion rights and will have no recourse to public funds except in cases of destitution.
I am pleased that the Government has introduced the Nationality and Borders Bill, which is the cornerstone of the New Plan for Immigration. This Bill introduced fundamental reforms so that those who enter the UK illegally will find it harder to stay. I will closely monitor its progress through Parliament.
‘Record Numbers’ Crossing the Channel: Collaboration with France is clearly essential and I do welcome the fact that the French authorities are stopping boats from coming to the UK. However, the numbers crossing are still unacceptable and therefore I will continue to push the Government to ensure that both UK and French authorities take action on all fronts.
The decision in November last year to increase police patrols on French beaches has made a difference. The move has prevented 8,000 people and 500 boats crossing the Channel, and so far this year, the French have prevented twice as many crossings as in 2020. However, clearly there is more to do given the increasing numbers attempting to cross the Channel illegally, partly as a result of the success in closing down other illegal routes. As you may be aware, a new agreement has been reached between the UK and France to tackle this issue. I particularly welcome the doubling of French police officers patrolling French beaches as a result of this agreement.
In addition, enhanced surveillance technology including drones, radar equipment, optronic binoculars and fixed cameras will allow the French police to be more efficient in their searches and in turn ensure officers are deployed to the right place at the right time to stop these dangerous and unnecessary crossings. It is also promising that both the UK and French governments are thinking ahead and boosting border security at ports in Northern and Western France to make sure that the illegal migration threat does not shift towards freight traffic.
It is welcome that action is being taken to support migrants into appropriate accommodation in France to prevent criminal gangs taking advantage and ensuring migrants can be supported and advised on asylum claims in a safe third country, as France is.
Claims and Appeals - The Government is taking action to tackle the practice of making multiple and often last minute claims and appeals. These appeals often prevent removal from the UK. Ministers will be introducing a 'one-stop' process to require all rights-based claims to be brought and considered together in a single assessment upfront. I welcome this approach of balancing the right of appeal with the need to prevent abuse in the system.
Age Verification: I was encouraged that the Government included the introduction of a robust approach to age verification in the New Plan for Immigration. This will ensure that the UK can effectively safeguard against adults claiming to be children. I know this has been a concern for many across.
Disrupting Criminal Networks Behind People Smuggling: The Home Secretary has been consistently clear that illegal immigration facilitated by serious organised criminals must be stopped. These criminal networks are exploiting people and making money from the misery of others. I welcome the action already underway to tackle this issue and the extensive cooperation between the UK and our partners in Europe. However, clearly more action is required and it is encouraging that the Government is doing so in the New Plan For Immigration. A key part of the plan is to widen existing powers to tackle those facilitating illegal immigration, through acts like piloting small boats, including raising the maximum sentence for facilitation to life imprisonment.
COVID: I hope I can reassure you that measures are in place to deal with Coronavirus and those crossing the Channel by small boat. People are tested on arrival and are required to self-isolate for 10 days in line with Public Health England guidance. Self-isolation accommodation is available in asylum accommodation. The Home Office has said it would expect the police to take enforcement action if people break quarantine conditions.
Protecting Human Life - This has never been about escorting boats across The Channel. Once an unseaworthy small boat reaches the sea, the first priority is to save lives, this is something I agree with and will not apologise for. The Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and those on board the small boats are not wearing suitable life jackets despite the rough waters. It is important not to forget that these people are desperate and will put their own lives and those of their children at risk rather than go back to France. This is a complex and extremely challenging issue. The dangerous people smuggling gangs are risking lives and often threatening violence to those crossing, sometimes being pushed into modern slavery.
After Crossing: If the occupants of small boats are intercepted by the Border Force or Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) they are medically assessed and transferred for interview by immigration enforcement officers. At this point they may make a claim for asylum and will be processed in the usual way. However, if an individual is known to have made a claim in another country the Home Office will look at the process of returning them as promptly as possible.
Channel Deaths: I was deeply saddened by the loss of life in the Channel. This awful incident highlights the danger of crossing the Channel by small boat and the ruthlessness of the criminals who are exploiting vulnerable people.
We are determined to bring to justice the ruthless criminal people smugglers whose actions endanger lives. The Home Secretary has been clear from the beginning that she will take all action possible to stop criminals exploiting vulnerable people and I offer my support to this important work.
I hope you can see from this response that the Government is taking firmer action to stop these crossings. I am encouraged by this work but will push the Government to continue to act fast to make this route unviable and end the cruel and dangerous people smuggling between France and the UK.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
August 2021