THREAD:

The number of illegal small boat crossings is appalling and unacceptably high. The figures are shameful.

France and other EU states are safe countries. Genuine refugees should claim asylum there, not risk their lives and break the law by coming to the UK.

I am working to make this route unviable.

This involves:

Stopping the boats leaving France in the first place
Intercepting boats and returning those attempting to make a crossing

This is complex to do and we face serious legislative, legal and operational barriers.

We also need the cooperation of the French to intercept boats and return migrants back to France.

I know that when the British people say they want to take back control of our borders – this is exactly what they mean.