Recommendation 13

HM Government Acknowledged

Defence primacy for tackling small boats migration in the Channel is one part of the Government’s significant overhaul of the immigration system. On 14 April 2022, the Government announced its New Plan for Immigration which seeks to control and protect the UK’s borders from dangerous and illegal migration while continuing to help those in desperate need. A key element of these reforms are the new migration and economic development partnerships, such as that established with Rwanda, which will see those who enter the UK illegally being considered for relocation to Rwanda to have their asylum claim considered and given a new opportunity to resettle and rebuild their lives. In terms of small boats migration, the Government is clear that the continuing large numbers of migrants attempting dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable. We have seen tragic loss of life in recent months as unprepared and determined people attempt this perilous journey, frequently spurred on by exploitative and abhorrent criminal gangs. The Home Office and the Ministry of Defence have worked closely on this issue for many years seeking to limit these illegal migrant flows, but despite success in ensuring the safety of life at sea we have seen the levels of migrant flows remains stubbornly far too high. And so a step change is needed. With the Ministry of Defence taking operational primacy in the Channel, the Royal Navy will undertake an enhanced role. Operation ISOTROPE will see Defence fulfilling the control and coordination role for Defence and Border Force assets engaged in counter-migration operations, and enhanced surface and surveillance capabilities to increase HMG’s ability to identify and intercept small boats and ensure all those arriving in the UK do so in a managed and controlled manner. This will ensure genuine refugees being properly cared for, and those who should not be here processed promptly and where appropriate removed from the UK. this year, an additional financial package of £50 million has been agreed with the Treasury and Home Office to ensure the capability uplifts and enhancements required can be delivered. We also expect that Defence may be involved in areas which are more 8 Operation Isotrope: Government response clearly aligned with Home Office responsibilities (such as accommodation for longer-term processing) and which, as the Committee notes, will be appropriate to manage through a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) approach. At every stage the MOD has made clear that further information would be made available to Parliament and the public once operational details had been finalised. This remains the case and as such we would like to extend the offer for a further private briefing on Departmental responsibilities and operational arrangements as the operation matures.