5 Small Boat Arrivals Returned to Europe This Year as Channel Crossing Number Triples

A group of people thought to be illegal immigrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard the Dungeness Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel on Nov. 3, 2021. Gareth Fuller/PA

Only five illegal immigrants who arrived in the UK by crossing the English Channel in small boats have been sent back to Europe this year, a minister told MPs.

Tom Pursglove, a minister for both the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice, said there had been “difficulties securing returns” when he was questioned by the Commons Home Affairs Committee on Wednesday.