Committee publication · Correspondence · 24 July 2026
Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the impact of the EU Entry/Exit System, dated 17 July 2026
From: Transport Committee
Summary
The Secretary of State for Transport updates Parliament on government measures to manage disruption from the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) at UK borders. The letter outlines sustained diplomatic engagement with European counterparts, operational preparations at ports and airports, £30.5 million in funding to Dover, and cross-government coordination to minimise delays during peak summer travel periods.
Key findings
- EES has created operational pressures at Short Straits ports, airports, and freight routes; UK supports the system's security objectives but recognises implementation challenges.
- Government secured commitments from French counterpart on 8 July to maintain high border resourcing; EU Commissioner met twice (March and 9 July) to press for use of permitted easements during peak demand.
- £30.5 million allocated: £10.5 million previously provided for EES preparations, plus £20 million announced this week for Dover border processing capacity and future infrastructure.
- Border Force and French Police aux Frontières conducting joint operational testing; Directors General visited Kent ports on 8 July to assess staffing, escalation routes, and contingency plans.
- Cross-government coordination established involving Home Office, FCDO, Cabinet Office, DBT; engagement ongoing with airlines, ports, ferry operators, hauliers, and Kent and Medway Local Resilience Forum.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP (Secretary of State for Transport), Ruth Cadbury MP (Transport Committee Chair), Commissioner Tzitzikostas (EU), Philippe Tabarot (French Minister), Border Force, French Police aux Frontières, Port of Dover, Kent and Medway Local Resilience Forum
Notable line
“No Government can eliminate entirely the risk of delay during the busiest travel periods, however I can assure the Committee that Government is using all available levers with the Commission …”
Key Quotes
“I am grateful for the opportunity to update the Committee on the Government's plans to minimise disruption to passengers and freight while supporting secure, effective border controls.”
“The UK supports its objectives, including stronger border security and the move from manual passport stamping to a digital system. However, I recognise the operational pressures it has created, particularly at the Short Straits ports with juxtaposed border controls, airports and other busy freight routes during peak periods.”
“We agreed that maintaining high levels of French border resourcing would be essential, and I am grateful for the collaborative and pragmatic approach that the French government is taking to ensure people can get away on their summer holidays.”
“France's use of Article 9 of the Schengen Borders Code during disruption at the Port of Dover in May shows that such mechanisms can be used, where necessary, while maintaining border security.”
“No Government can eliminate entirely the risk of delay during the busiest travel periods, however I can assure the Committee that Government is using all available levers with the Commission, France, other Member States, operators and local partners to minimise disruption, maintain traffic flow and support the smooth movement of passengers and freight.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗