Inquiry starts into huge rise in migrants trying to cross Channel

AN INQUIRY has been launched into the reasons behind the huge increase in migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.

The Home Affairs Committee in the House of Commons has previously questioned Home Secretary Priti Patel about the crisis, but now begins a full investigation.

The news comes amid reports of large numbers of migrants attempting to cross to British shores yesterday.

Border Force cutter Seeker and patrol boats Speedwell and Hunter have been busy in UK waters yesterday and the coastguard reported multiple incidents off the coast of Dover.

The Home Office has not yet confirmed how many migrants have been intercepted yesterday, which saw more favourable weather. In French waters, authorities rescued migrants from several kayaks as they tried to make it to the UK.

A helicopter was also used in the response that saw at least 23 migrants intercepted and brought back to France.

Announced yesterday, the new Home Affairs Committee inquiry will look at the role of criminal gangs as well as the responses of UK and French authorities to combat illegal migration and support legal routes to asylum.

The committee will also investigate the conditions experienced by people gathered in northern France seeking to enter the UK. This will include the risk to life when attempting to cross the Channel in small boats and the response of UK authorities when they reach the UK, in particular unaccompanied children.

The news comes as Chris Philp, the Minister for Immigration Compliance, said he met French deputy ambassador Francois Revardeaux.

In a post on Twitter, he said the pair discussed “our collective mission to completely stop small boat crossings”. But the Home Office refused to provide details of the meeting, saying it was private.