Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Paragraph: 47
Clarity required on Royal Navy's operational role and success measures for Channel crossings.
Conclusion
Further clarity is required on precisely what difference the assumption of operational responsibility for migrant crossings in the Channel by the Royal Navy (rather than Channel crossings, migration and asylum 45 Border Force) is intended to achieve and what measure of success will be applied when these arrangements are reviewed in January. We invite the Home Office to provide that clarity in its response to this Report.
Government Response Summary
The government explains that the Ministry of Defence's operational primacy in the Channel has strengthened planning, coordination, and delivery, providing additional resources and allowing Border Force to build capacity. They state that a number of factors will be considered when reviewing arrangements towards the end of 2022.
Paragraph Reference:
47
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
There is a whole of Government effort against these dangerous and unnecessary crossings. It is right and proper that we make the fullest possible usage of Government resources, including the MOD’s unrivalled capability for Command, Control and Co-ordination of operational responses. Since April 2022, the MOD has had operational primacy for action in the Channel (Operation ISOTROPE), which has strengthened operational planning, asset coordination and operational delivery. Border Force has welcomed the assistance provided through Defence primacy in increasing skills and capability, enhancing control and co-ordination to optimise all available assets, expertise, and experience, to manage Channel migration by identifying and intercepting those attempting small boats crossings so that they are unable to arrive in the UK on their own terms. The aim of Defence operations is to ensure that individuals cannot arrive in the UK on their own terms and assist with assuring the safety of life at sea. In addition to control and co-ordination, military involvement has provided additional personnel and maritime vessels in the short term, allowing time for Border Force to build up capabilities to deal with the increased migrant crossing attempts being seen throughout 2022. The Home Office retains overall responsibility for the security of the UK border and illegal migration policy, including the plan to fix the UK’s asylum and immigration system. Border Force supports the response to small boat crossings where needed, alongside other maritime threats. A number of factors will be considered when reviewing arrangements towards the end of 2022. The Home Office continues to focus on building capacity to maintain the enhanced resources and effort that the MOD has brought.