To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is taking steps to increase border security at aerodromes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will take steps to reduce contraband entering the UK through aerodromes.

The Home Office’s priority is to deliver a safe and secure border and we will never compromise on this. Border Force maintain 100% checks for all scheduled arriving passengers into the UK. Border Force performs checks on passengers arriving at the UK border and risk-based intelligence led checks on goods, enabling interventions against those known or suspected to pose a risk to the national interest.

Border Force has reduced the number of aerodromes able to handle flights to and from the UK as of 1 January 2024. From 3135 aerodromes in GB, now only 16% are designated to facilitate international and CTA flights. This will continue to have a positive impact on Border Force operations. Routine work continues at aerodromes, enabling Border Force to carry out customs duties as laid out in CEMA (Customs & Excise Management Act).