Under consideration · Cabinet Office states no delivery position
Recommended
The role and functions of HM Coastguard should be set out in up-to-date legislation.
Since then (summary written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended setting HM Coastguard's role and functions in up-to-date legislation. In October 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that the Department for Transport is conducting a review of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to consider its functions, form, governance and performance (Cabinet Office, Oct 2026). In its October 2026 update, it noted that the review will report to Ministers this year and inform the government's response to the inquiry's outstanding recommendations, as the department had stated in July 2026 (Department for Transport response, Jul 2026; Cabinet Office, Oct 2026).
Addressed to Department for Transport · Full record
Under consideration · Cabinet Office states no delivery position
Recommended
An independent external body should be given responsibility for the regular assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of HM Coastguard. Consideration should be given to extending the remit of His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services as the responsible body to undertake the task.
Since then (summary written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended independent external assessment of His Majesty's Coastguard's efficiency and effectiveness. In October 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that this recommendation is one of three remaining recommendations awaiting the outcome of a Department for Transport review of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) (Cabinet Office, Oct 2026). The department stated in July 2026 that the review will consider the agency's functions, form, governance and performance, report to Ministers in 2026, and inform the government response (Department for Transport response, Jul 2026).
Addressed to Department for Transport · Full record
Under consideration · Cabinet Office states no delivery position
Recommended
The government should reconsider Mr Downer's recommendation in his independent review of Border Force that Border Force Maritime should not be providing an ongoing search and rescue function in the English Channel, with the result that HM Coastguard would assume responsibility for the surface assets used for search and rescue.
Since then (summary written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended reconsidering search and rescue operations in the English Channel. In October 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that the Department for Transport is conducting a review of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) covering its functions, form, governance, and performance (Cabinet Office, Oct 2026). Border Force and the transfer of surface assets are not mentioned in the sources (Department for Transport response, Jul 2026; Cabinet Office, Oct 2026). The review will report to Ministers in 2026 to inform the government's response to the outstanding recommendations, as the department first set out in July 2026 (Department for Transport response, Jul 2026; Cabinet Office, Oct 2026).
Addressed to Department for Transport; Home Office · Full record
The Cranston Inquiry final report published, containing 18 recommendations for HM Coastguard, Department for Transport, Home Office, and Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Written Ministerial StatementHouse of LordsLord Hendy of Richmond Hill · Labour
Statement: My Right Honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander), has made the following Ministerial Statement.On 5 February 2026 Sir Ross Cranston published the Cranston Inquiry’s report into the tragic events of November 2021 when at least 30 people died attempting to cross …
Written Ministerial StatementHouse of CommonsHeidi Alexander · Labour
Statement: On 5 February 2026 Sir Ross Cranston published the Cranston Inquiry’s report into the tragic events of November 2021 when at least 30 people died attempting to cross the Channel in a small boat. Government has today published an interim response to the report.Our deepest …
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsJoe Robertson · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the final financial report of the Cranston Inquiry will be published.
Answered by Department for Transport: The final financial report will be published this year once the process of closing the Inquiry has concluded, including transfer of files to The National Archives.
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsMike Wood · Conservative
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 70519 on Public Inquiries, what has been the total cost to the public purse to date of the Cranston inquiry.
Answered by Department for Transport: The Cranston Inquiry’s annual and quarterly financial reports are available on the Inquiry website. A final financial report will be published in due course.
Written QuestionHouse of CommonsPeter Prinsley · Labour
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help implement the recommendations of the Cranston inquiry to help prevent avoidable deaths in the channel.
Answered by Home Office: The loss of life from the fatal incident of 23/24 November 2021 was an appalling tragedy, and our thoughts remain with the survivors, the victims and loved ones who suffered as a result. The response to the Cranston Inquiry report is being led by the Department for Transport (DfT). The Home Office is engaging with the DfT on the response …
Written Ministerial StatementHouse of LordsLord Hendy of Richmond Hill · Labour
Statement: My Right Honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander), has made the following Ministerial Statement:On 24 November 2021 there was a tragic mass-casualty incident involving a small boat attempting to cross the Channel. On 9 November 2023 the then Secretary of State …
Written Ministerial StatementHouse of CommonsHeidi Alexander · Labour
Statement: On 24 November 2021 there was a tragic mass-casualty incident involving a small boat attempting to cross the Channel. On 9 November 2023 the then Secretary of State for Transport announced the establishment of an independent, non-statutory Inquiry into the circumstances of this event.My deepest …