Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 November 2017 to Question 114587, what the evidential basis is for her Department's conclusion that an additional 300 Border Force officers is adequate in preparation for when the UK leaves the EU.

Recruitment of an additional 300 Border Force officers is underway. The Government has been clear that this additional resource will be dedicated to undertaking work to prepare for changes brought about by Brexit.

Border Force is ensuring flexibility in recruitment plans to ensure the approach can be flexed and adapted as future requirements become clearer.