Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Rejected
Paragraph: 48
Delay announcing new channel crossings policy until sufficient detailed planning is complete.
Recommendation
There is a worrying trend in Home Office policy announcements being made before detailed policy has been worked through, tested and even agreed between Government Departments, as exemplified by early announcement both of military control of channel operations and the Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda. We recommend that the Home Office seek to delay announcing new policy initiatives on channel crossings until sufficient detailed planning has been done to substantiate the chances of their success against the underlying strategic goals.
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that policy announcements related to channel crossings are made following extensive inter-departmental discussions and agreements, contrary to the committee's suggestion.
Paragraph Reference:
48
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Committee is wrong to suggest policies the Government announces on preventing channel crossings have not been worked through or agreed between departments. The former Prime Minister’s announcements relating to military primacy in the channel and our Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) with Rwanda were made following extensive discussions and agreement across Government. The MEDP, in particular, was the culmination of around 18 months’ work across Government and with our international partners. Illegal migration is a global issue which requires world-leading solutions, with many countries struggling to address the challenges and the causes. We are confident that the Migration and Economic Development Partnership fully complies with all international and national law and can be successfully replicated internationally. We note that many countries looked to the decisive leadership shown by the UK, including Denmark who continue to work with Rwanda to enhance cooperation on migration issues. We look forward to working closely with our partners in Europe and beyond. Renewed global leadership is required to find new innovative solutions to this growing problem and the UK is leading the way.