- New research has found that over 拢5 billion has been awarded to private companies to manage border security since 2015
- The UK government has funded 213 contracts to private companies for border management including small boat interceptions, asylum processing, and high-tech surveillance
- Researchers found that some of the most significant contracts were tied to immigration detention and deportation infrastructure, linked to the now defunct Rwanda plan
from a team of leading UK universities including the University of Sheffield, has revealed that over 拢5 billion in government contracts has been awarded to private companies since 2015 for managing border security and small boat crossings in the English Channel.
Small boat crossings started in 2018, largely due to increased security around other entry routes in Northern France making it difficult to enter the UK via lorry. People therefore began to cross the Channel in small boats, often using the services of smugglers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to 鈥渟mash the gangs鈥 profiting from small boat crossings.
However, while focus is often placed on illegal profits made from the people smuggling trade, the research found that many companies are profiting completely legally. Analysis has revealed that the UK government has funneled over across 213 contracts to private companies for border management including small boat interceptions, asylum processing, and high-tech surveillance. The industry is still expanding, with an additional 拢1 billion in open tenders as of December 2024.
Researchers found that some of the most significant contracts were tied to immigration detention and deportation infrastructure, linked to the now defunct Rwanda plan. For example, Mitie Care and Custody was awarded over 拢500 million for managing short-term holding facilities, and construction firm Galliford Try received more than 拢170 million for redeveloping detention facilities linked to the Rwanda deportation policy.
The largest contract identified was a 拢1.96 billion agreement with Bristow Group for search and rescue operations. Other contracts include 拢276 million for detention centre operations, 拢23 million for the use of sniffer dogs, and 拢7.7 million for temporary accommodation facilities.
While most contracts relate directly to border control in the Channel, researchers found that others are tied to the wider asylum and immigration infrastructure, including facilities required to support deportation initiatives. In some contracts key financial details are either redacted or undisclosed, highlighting significant gaps in transparency.
Dr Lucy Mayblin from the University of Sheffield鈥檚 School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations and co-author of the new research, said: 鈥淭he public is often told that stopping small boat crossings is about tackling smuggling gangs. But what is rarely mentioned is the legal flip side of the smuggling economy: the business of bordering.
鈥淭hese figures are very high, and we know that they have not stopped, and will not be likely to stop either the operations of smugglers or small boat Channel crossings. There seems to be little public discussion or scrutiny of these contracts, while in other areas of policy 鈥 such as disability benefits 鈥 there is extensive discussion about high costs and value to the public purse.鈥
Dr. Arshad Isakjee from the Department of Geography at the University of Liverpool, who led the research, said: 鈥淭here are currently no safe and legal routes for refugees to come into the UK and claim asylum legally, meaning that people continue to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in small boats to reach the UK.
鈥淚nstead of tackling this issue and creating safe and legal routes for people to apply for asylum, the government is subsidising private companies profiting from policies designed to repel them. At a time when the government is making severe cuts to other public services in the UK, this research raises pressing questions: Who truly benefits from these policies? And at what cost to human lives and public resources?鈥
The study places the UK鈥檚 border security economy within a global context, noting that the border industry is projected to grow from US$377 billion in 2023 to US$679 billion by 2032.
Dr Thom Davies, co-author from the University of Nottingham, said: 鈥淎t this time of austerity, a gang of companies are profiting from government policies that simply don鈥檛 work.鈥
Dr Joe Turner, co-author from the University of York, said: 鈥滽eir Starmer, in his mission to 鈥楽mash the Gangs,鈥 stated in January 2025 that 鈥If you're going to smash a gang that is driven by money, follow the money.鈥 That is precisely what we have done. We have followed the money鈥攁nd uncovered how the UK government is routinely awarding vast sums to a network of private firms.鈥
The research was carried out by the University of Liverpool together with the Universities of York, Sheffield and Nottingham as part of an Economic and Social Research Council-funded project into Channel Crossings.
