In an increasingly-connected world, we know that there are global issues which affect us here in Britain requiring international co-operation to prevent.

Illegal immigration is very much included in this category. As small boat crossings across the English Channel fall, the number of illegal migrants entering Europe has risen by almost a third year on year. The energy with which this issue is being pursued at the top of government is clear to see and producing much-needed results.

Any such crossings across the Channel which bypass the system and put lives in danger cannot be accepted.

Confirmation that small boat arrivals to Britain have reduced by 20 per cent since December is welcome: the first time since such small boats crossings began that arrivals in the first half of the year have fallen compared to the year before. We must also be clear that this serves as a timely reminder of the scale of the work that remains.

There is no compassion in support for such crossings which have seen lives lost in the Channel. The UK’s partnership with France stopped 33,000 crossings last year – 40 per cent more than the year before – and so far this year has prevented more than 8,600 people reaching Britain’s shores.

Through working with the authorities in Albania, the numbers of people arriving from that country have fallen. Over the last six months, the Government has doubled funding to law enforcement for organised immigration crime, ensured increased National Crime Agency investigative and intelligence resource on organised immigration crime, and created a Joint Migration Task Force in Albania.

Over the same time period, 1,800 illegal migrants and foreign criminals have been returned to Albania on weekly returns flights.

The number of illegal working raids has also increased by more than 50 per cent, with arrests more than double compared to the same period last year.

I note that the Prime Minister has highlighted the need for such work at every international summit he has attended including at the G7 in Japan last month.

The message I hear loud and clear from Crawley residents is how we are right to help those in need, but cannot accept our generosity being abused by those seeking to bypass the system.

The impact of hotels in Crawley being used to house migrants is an issue I have highlighted with the Home Office. I am acutely aware of the concerns over their use and work to minimise the number of rooms required remains ongoing, through accommodating single adult males into double and triple rooms.

There is much more to do to ensure our borders are fully secure and I will keep voicing the concerns of Crawley residents in Parliament.

Henry Smith MP