Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with her French counterpart on migrants illegally crossing the English Channel.

The UK and France maintain a strong and active relationship on the issue of migration and those attempting to access the UK illegally, ensuring that the necessary support is delivered to vulnerable migrants whilst upholding security at our shared border.

The Home Secretary met with her new counterpart, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, on the 12^th July: both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to put a stop to small boat crossings and to returning boats to France rather than allowing them to reach the UK. Additionally, the ministers agreed to the creation of a joint intelligence cell to help deter and dismantle the organised criminal gangs facilitating these journeys.