09/06/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/06/2024 09:13
Today we provided our submission to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) call for evidence on the inspection of Border Force operations to deter and detect clandestine entrants to the UK.We have very real concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, and we support all reasonable measures to secure the UK border.
We recognise the need to deter clandestine entrants as well as penalise those drivers and operators who aren't taking steps to secure their vehicles.
However, we've a number of genuine concerns about how the penalty regime is currently being enforced.
Specifically, we believe it's wrong that drivers and businesses who have done everything they reasonably can to prevent clandestine entry are being punished. We've heard numerous examples of this from our members and across the industry.
In addition to our own submission, as part of our collaboration work within ALTA, the leaders of the UK's largest trade associations across the logistics and road transport sector have today joined forces to collectively write to the ICIBI regarding our concerns.
We stand ready to work with both the Border Force and the Home Office on improving border security and we're available to discuss this issue in greater detail as part of their inspection process. We're calling for the following measures: