Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, within the context of irregular immigration, how she defines what a small boat is.

This question was answered on 11th September 2026

The definition of a small boat can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats-last-7-days#about-the-data(opens in a new tab).

This reads as follows: Definition of a small boat A ‘small boat’ is one of a number of vessels used by individuals who cross the English Channel, with the aim of gaining entry to the UK without a visa or permission to enter – either directly by landing in the UK or having been intercepted at sea by the authorities and brought ashore. The most common small vessels detected making these types of crossings are rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), dinghies and kayaks.