Parliamentary activity

Answering body: Department for Transport

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 sympathies remain with the survivors and the loved ones of those who lost their lives. I wish to express my sincere thanks to Sir Ross for undertaking this Inquiry with great care and diligence and to all of those that participated.

Search and rescue in the channel looks very different today than in 2021. Many crucial changes have been made including closer working with France, additional people and assets, and the adoption of new technologies, but it is important that we continue to learn and improve wherever possible, including learning lessons from the Cranston Inquiry’s report.

Of the 18 recommendations made by the Inquiry, 15 were principally operational in nature and three were focused on policy matters. This interim response focuses on the 15 operational recommendations which have all been accepted in full. The response also sets out the actions that have already been taken, and additional actions that will be taken, against each recommendation.

The Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Coastguard, part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), are dedicated to delivering our vital maritime search and rescue responsibilities and will continue to seek opportunities to learn and improve.

The Department is conducting a review of the MCA which will consider its functions, form, governance, and performance. It will report to Ministers this year and inform Government’s response to the outstanding recommendations of the Cranston Inquiry.

I have laid a copy of the interim response in both Houses of Parliament.

Answering body: Department for Transport

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 sympathies remain with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, the survivors, and all those who were affected by this tragic incident

The Inquiry, chaired by Sir Ross Cranston, has today published its final report and recommendations. I wish to express my sincere thanks to Sir Ross, and his Inquiry team, for undertaking this Inquiry with great care and diligence.

I would also like to thank those that contributed to the Inquiry, notably the families of the deceased and a survivor of the tragedy.

The Inquiry has considered lessons that can be learned from the events of the 23 to the 24 November 2021 and delivered 18 recommendations.

The Government will carefully consider the content and recommendations of the report and respond fully in due course.

I have laid a copy of the report of the Cranston Inquiry in both Houses of Parliament.

Answering body: Department for Transport

On 09 November 2023 I announced the establishment of an independent, non-statutory Inquiry into the circumstances of this tragic mass-casualty incident which resulted in at least 27 fatalities. My thoughts continue to be with the loved ones of those who died, the survivors, and with those who responded to an extremely distressing event.

The Inquiry will be chaired by Sir Ross Cranston, who will bring great experience and expertise to the role. Sir Ross has had a distinguished judicial career, with experience sitting in the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court, and as the judge in charge of the Administrative Court. Sir Ross is also a former Solicitor General for England and Wales. The Inquiry will now be known as the Cranston Inquiry.

The Terms of Reference, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses, enable the Inquiry to focus on investigating this individual incident, with the aim of ensuring the rights of those affected are upheld and allowing the survivors and family members of the deceased to be heard. Crucially, it will also examine the circumstances in which the deceased lost their lives and what lessons can be learned to prevent incidents like this in the future.

In conducting this Inquiry, Sir Ross will consider the investigation already carried out by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch into the incident.

The Department will provide support and ensure the Inquiry has the resources that it needs to investigate this incident. Sir Ross and his team will now proceed with the important work of establishing the Inquiry's processes and procedures.