Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the total financial contribution made by the UK to improving security at the port of Calais in each of the last five years; if she will estimate the likely UK contribution to such security in each of the next five years; and if she will make a statement.

Since 2010 the UK has spent £14.8 million to improve port security at Calais and bolster UK border security. The bulk of UK spend at Calais port has been funded through the two Joint Declarations with France – one in September 2014 the other in August 2015. which has contributed to extra fencing and infrastructure as well as improved detection technology at the port.

The UK takes the security of its border seriously. We will continue to assess the level of investments required – not only in Calais, but at all other ports and airports - next year and beyond.

On 20 September 2014 a Joint Declaration was signed between the UK and France and a £12 million contribution from the UK was announced to upgrade Calais port infrastructure and improve security and detection technology across juxtaposed ports – about £11 million was spent on Calais port.