MPs to investigate surge in migrants crossing Channel in small boats

MPs are to investigate a surge in migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats after more than 2,000 people were reported to have entered the country by this route in June.

The home affairs select committee, chaired by Labour’s Yvette Cooper, is to examine the reasons behind the growth in crossings and will look at the role of criminal gangs.

In 2018 fewer than 500 people were detected to have entered the UK by small boat across the Channel, but the number has surged this year, with at least 202 migrants crossing to Britain on one day alone last week in 20 boats. It was the second time in a month that a new high mark had been set for individuals arriving from Europe via the dangerous Channel route.

Select committee inquiries involve witnesses – including ministers – giving evidence and are usually followed by a report making formal recommendations to the government.

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The cross-party committee will look at the actions of UK and French authorities to combat illegal migration and to support legal routes to asylum, and the conditions experienced by people gathered in northern France seeking to enter the UK.

“This will include the risk to life when attempting to cross the Channel, the world’s busiest waterway, in small boats and the response of UK authorities when they reach the UK, in particular unaccompanied children,” a statement from the committee said.

Two men appeared in court this week charged in connection with a suspected people-smuggling incident in Southwold, Suffolk.

Denys Khvatkov, 19, and Bohdan Lutskyi, 29, appeared before Norwich magistrates on Monday charged with facilitating a breach of the UK’s immigration laws. The two Ukrainian nationals were remanded to appear at Ipswich crown court on 1 September.

The men were arrested on Friday after a Border Force cutter targeted a yacht as it sailed from the Netherlands towards the east coast of the UK. The vessel moored at Southwold Harbour.

The immigration enforcement minister, Chris Philp, has previously called on the French to take tougher action. “We need stronger enforcement measures, including interceptions at sea and direct return of boats,” he said. “The French have heard that directly from the home secretary and we will continue to work with them until the situation changes.”