Nearly 200 individuals who arrived in small boats have been sent back to France as part of a reciprocal arrangement, according to a government official. Alex Norris informed members of the government’s intention to forge similar pacts with other European countries in the fight against criminal organizations involved in human trafficking. Since October, 193 people have been repatriated to France while 195 have been accepted into the UK under this exchange program.
In a session with the Lords International Agreements Committee, Mr. Norris updated the committee on efforts to access the Eurodac database, which stores biometric information of new arrivals. He emphasized that the current agreement between the UK and France is functional, although there is room for improvement. The government is keen on expanding such cooperative agreements with other nations.
The minister commended France for its earnest efforts in combating small boat crossings, highlighting the shared goal across Europe to address the challenges posed by migrant flows. He stressed the negative impact of irregular migration on communities and the criminal activities associated with it.
Mr. Norris mentioned that European countries perceive the UK as lenient, and steps are being taken to address factors attracting migrants. He reiterated the government’s desire to broaden partnerships through similar agreements.
Furthermore, the UK is advocating for access to the Eurodac security database, which contains vital information on asylum seekers and irregular migrants. Lack of access hinders the authorities’ ability to track individuals’ movements across borders, underscoring the importance of information sharing among European allies.