Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many National Crime Agency staff are currently in roles tasked primarily with the disruption of (a) organised immigration crime and (b) people smuggling across the English Channel.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Government is resolute in its commitment to tackle Organised Immigration Crime (OIC).
Tackling people smuggling of all types is a priority for Immigration Enforcement, working through its international network upstream as well as conducting OIC investigations within the UK. Additionally, the dedicated multi-agency OIC Taskforce, led by the National Crime Agency, is committed to dismantling OCGs engaged in immigration crime internationally. The Taskforce is active in 17 countries worldwide, and its activities include supporting judicial and intelligence capacity building in source and transit countries, and intelligence sharing in key near Europe countries. The NCA undertakes investigations into complex and serious OIC offences, arresting offenders in the UK and overseas and bringing them to justice.
In addition to the Taskforce, the NCA has a network in excess of 140 International Liaison Officers (ILOs) based in more than 45 locations, covering over 100 countries. For operational security reasons, the NCA does not disclose those countries in which NCA Liaison Officers are based. The NCA also has intelligence and investigative teams that are deployed across the full range of Serious and Organised Crime threats, where tackling Organised Immigration Crime is a priority.
The NCA overseas liaison officers network works with international partners and coordinates UK law enforcement overseas to gather intelligence, conduct operational activity (through agreement with partners) and enhance international delivery through a variety of means, including capacity building, training, joint European or international taskforces. The Liaison Officer network also includes officers based in the multilateral institutions of Europol and INTERPOL.
The tragedy in the Channel last December sadly demonstrates the extent to which OCGs endanger migrants’ lives at sea. The NCA, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and UK police forces continue to collaborate with French counterparts to tackle the criminals behind the majority of these crossing attempts and protect lives at sea. Our joint efforts are resulting in continued arrests and prosecutions of these criminals, so that we deter, disrupt and dismantle the networks responsible for facilitating many of these crossings.
Joint Investigation Teams are another part of our toolkit to address cross border organised crime. JITs provide a legal framework for investigation teams set up for a fixed period between two or more countries to investigate a specific cross-border case. The UK participates in multiple JITs with an Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) dimension; however, for operational reasons we cannot provide further detail.
We also share information about criminality around small boats between international agencies. The UK-France Joint Intelligence Cell (known to France as the Unité de renseignement opérationnel, so URO or JIC) consists of UK and French officials, as well as a Europol embed, who collate and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings and to dismantle the gangs behind them. Since the JIC was established in July 2020, 59 organised criminal groups involved in small boats crossings in France have been dismantled. Our joint activity with the French saw nearly 400 arrests made in 2022 alone.
We also pursue those involved in the financial flows that support this activity. Using criminal powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, an individual can be prosecuted for money laundering offences if sufficient evidence is obtainable and CPS agree to charging, or civil powers within the same act permit the action to be taken against the money concerned. Both these approaches are used to undermine the financial flows supporting small boat and wider clandestine smuggling, both in the UK and with foreign partners.
Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many joint investigations have been opened into people smuggling by organised crime groups in (a) the past 12 months and (b) each of the past five years.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Government is resolute in its commitment to tackle Organised Immigration Crime (OIC).
Tackling people smuggling of all types is a priority for Immigration Enforcement, working through its international network upstream as well as conducting OIC investigations within the UK. Additionally, the dedicated multi-agency OIC Taskforce, led by the National Crime Agency, is committed to dismantling OCGs engaged in immigration crime internationally. The Taskforce is active in 17 countries worldwide, and its activities include supporting judicial and intelligence capacity building in source and transit countries, and intelligence sharing in key near Europe countries. The NCA undertakes investigations into complex and serious OIC offences, arresting offenders in the UK and overseas and bringing them to justice.
In addition to the Taskforce, the NCA has a network in excess of 140 International Liaison Officers (ILOs) based in more than 45 locations, covering over 100 countries. For operational security reasons, the NCA does not disclose those countries in which NCA Liaison Officers are based. The NCA also has intelligence and investigative teams that are deployed across the full range of Serious and Organised Crime threats, where tackling Organised Immigration Crime is a priority.
The NCA overseas liaison officers network works with international partners and coordinates UK law enforcement overseas to gather intelligence, conduct operational activity (through agreement with partners) and enhance international delivery through a variety of means, including capacity building, training, joint European or international taskforces. The Liaison Officer network also includes officers based in the multilateral institutions of Europol and INTERPOL.
The tragedy in the Channel last December sadly demonstrates the extent to which OCGs endanger migrants’ lives at sea. The NCA, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and UK police forces continue to collaborate with French counterparts to tackle the criminals behind the majority of these crossing attempts and protect lives at sea. Our joint efforts are resulting in continued arrests and prosecutions of these criminals, so that we deter, disrupt and dismantle the networks responsible for facilitating many of these crossings.
Joint Investigation Teams are another part of our toolkit to address cross border organised crime. JITs provide a legal framework for investigation teams set up for a fixed period between two or more countries to investigate a specific cross-border case. The UK participates in multiple JITs with an Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) dimension; however, for operational reasons we cannot provide further detail.
We also share information about criminality around small boats between international agencies. The UK-France Joint Intelligence Cell (known to France as the Unité de renseignement opérationnel, so URO or JIC) consists of UK and French officials, as well as a Europol embed, who collate and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings and to dismantle the gangs behind them. Since the JIC was established in July 2020, 59 organised criminal groups involved in small boats crossings in France have been dismantled. Our joint activity with the French saw nearly 400 arrests made in 2022 alone.
We also pursue those involved in the financial flows that support this activity. Using criminal powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, an individual can be prosecuted for money laundering offences if sufficient evidence is obtainable and CPS agree to charging, or civil powers within the same act permit the action to be taken against the money concerned. Both these approaches are used to undermine the financial flows supporting small boat and wider clandestine smuggling, both in the UK and with foreign partners.
Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Joint Investigation Teams are currently in place to investigate people smuggling across the Channel by organised crime groups.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Government is resolute in its commitment to tackle Organised Immigration Crime (OIC).
Tackling people smuggling of all types is a priority for Immigration Enforcement, working through its international network upstream as well as conducting OIC investigations within the UK. Additionally, the dedicated multi-agency OIC Taskforce, led by the National Crime Agency, is committed to dismantling OCGs engaged in immigration crime internationally. The Taskforce is active in 17 countries worldwide, and its activities include supporting judicial and intelligence capacity building in source and transit countries, and intelligence sharing in key near Europe countries. The NCA undertakes investigations into complex and serious OIC offences, arresting offenders in the UK and overseas and bringing them to justice.
In addition to the Taskforce, the NCA has a network in excess of 140 International Liaison Officers (ILOs) based in more than 45 locations, covering over 100 countries. For operational security reasons, the NCA does not disclose those countries in which NCA Liaison Officers are based. The NCA also has intelligence and investigative teams that are deployed across the full range of Serious and Organised Crime threats, where tackling Organised Immigration Crime is a priority.
The NCA overseas liaison officers network works with international partners and coordinates UK law enforcement overseas to gather intelligence, conduct operational activity (through agreement with partners) and enhance international delivery through a variety of means, including capacity building, training, joint European or international taskforces. The Liaison Officer network also includes officers based in the multilateral institutions of Europol and INTERPOL.
The tragedy in the Channel last December sadly demonstrates the extent to which OCGs endanger migrants’ lives at sea. The NCA, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and UK police forces continue to collaborate with French counterparts to tackle the criminals behind the majority of these crossing attempts and protect lives at sea. Our joint efforts are resulting in continued arrests and prosecutions of these criminals, so that we deter, disrupt and dismantle the networks responsible for facilitating many of these crossings.
Joint Investigation Teams are another part of our toolkit to address cross border organised crime. JITs provide a legal framework for investigation teams set up for a fixed period between two or more countries to investigate a specific cross-border case. The UK participates in multiple JITs with an Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) dimension; however, for operational reasons we cannot provide further detail.
We also share information about criminality around small boats between international agencies. The UK-France Joint Intelligence Cell (known to France as the Unité de renseignement opérationnel, so URO or JIC) consists of UK and French officials, as well as a Europol embed, who collate and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings and to dismantle the gangs behind them. Since the JIC was established in July 2020, 59 organised criminal groups involved in small boats crossings in France have been dismantled. Our joint activity with the French saw nearly 400 arrests made in 2022 alone.
We also pursue those involved in the financial flows that support this activity. Using criminal powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, an individual can be prosecuted for money laundering offences if sufficient evidence is obtainable and CPS agree to charging, or civil powers within the same act permit the action to be taken against the money concerned. Both these approaches are used to undermine the financial flows supporting small boat and wider clandestine smuggling, both in the UK and with foreign partners.
Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2022 to Question 18775 on Human Trafficking: Prosecutions, how many people have been successfully prosecuted for people smuggling since December 2019.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Home Office aims to tackle the organised crime gangs behind illegal migration. The Home Office works tirelessly, with other national and international law enforcement authorities, to tackle migrant smuggling gangs who organise and profit from illegal crossings and to bring to justice the ruthless criminals behind them. We are determined to go after the callous people smugglers who exploit vulnerable people in difficult circumstances and put them in life-threatening situations.
The Joint Intelligence Cell has dismantled 59 organised crime groups since its inception in July 2020. This year alone, the Cell has so far secured the arrests of 384 suspected people smugglers. The Cell records activity undertaken by UK and French law enforcement agencies.
Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people smugglers who aid migrants to illegally cross the English Channel have been (a) identified and (b) prosecuted in each month since January 2021.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Home Office aims to tackle the organised crime gangs behind illegal migration. The Home Office works tirelessly, with other national and international law enforcement authorities, to tackle migrant smuggling gangs who organise and profit from illegal crossings and to bring to justice the ruthless criminals behind them. We are determined to go after the callous people smugglers who exploit vulnerable people in difficult circumstances and put them in life-threatening situations.
The Joint Intelligence Cell has dismantled 59 organised crime groups since its inception in July 2020. This year alone, the Cell has so far secured the arrests of 384 suspected people smugglers. The Cell records activity undertaken by UK and French law enforcement agencies.
Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are projected to be in receipt of asylum support for more than one year in financial years (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24, and (c) 2024-25.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Home Office publishes data on asylum seekers in receipt of support in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. The latest publication (November 2022) can be found here Immigration and protection data: Q3 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) under the document Asylum seekers in receipt of support (opens in a new tab) of the workbooks. Data are published on a quarterly basis. The latest information was published 24 November 2022.
The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates the number of asylum seekers accommodated in specific types of accommodation, the duration of their receipt of support or the number at specific stages of the asylum process. These figures are not available in a reportable format and to provide the information could only be done at disproportionate cost.
Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, as well as quality and availability of data.
Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been in receipt of asylum support for more than one year in each of the last five calendar years.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The Home Office publishes data on asylum seekers in receipt of support in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. The latest publication (November 2022) can be found here Immigration and protection data: Q3 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) under the document Asylum seekers in receipt of support (opens in a new tab) of the workbooks. Data are published on a quarterly basis. The latest information was published 24 November 2022.
The Home Office does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates the number of asylum seekers accommodated in specific types of accommodation, the duration of their receipt of support or the number at specific stages of the asylum process. These figures are not available in a reportable format and to provide the information could only be done at disproportionate cost.
Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, as well as quality and availability of data.
Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding has been allocated by (a) her Department and (b) FCDO in departmental budgets for financial year 2022-23 to cover support costs for people in receipt of asylum support for more than one year.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The United Kingdom has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and other support whilst their application for asylum is being considered.
The Departmental allocation for asylum support in 2022/23 main estimates was £1026m. This was funding provided directly by HM Treasury . We are in negotiations with HM Treasury through the supplementary estimates process regarding additional funding requirements. Funding allocations are based on the total asylum population, not how long individual asylum seekers have spent in the system.
FCDO is not allocated funding by HM Treasury for costs relating to asylum support in the UK and so has not allocated funding to cover such costs in 2022/23.
Asked by: Yvette Cooper (Labour - Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding has been allocated by (a) her Department and (b) FCDO in departmental budgets for financial year 2022-23 to cover support costs for people in receipt of asylum support.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
The United Kingdom has a statutory obligation to provide destitute asylum seekers with accommodation and other support whilst their application for asylum is being considered.
The Departmental allocation for asylum support in 2022/23 main estimates was £1026m. This was funding provided directly by HM Treasury . We are in negotiations with HM Treasury through the supplementary estimates process regarding additional funding requirements. Funding allocations are based on the total asylum population, not how long individual asylum seekers have spent in the system.
FCDO is not allocated funding by HM Treasury for costs relating to asylum support in the UK and so has not allocated funding to cover such costs in 2022/23.