PACE rapporteur Sandra Zampa (Italy, SOC), a member of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, carried out a fact-finding visit to the United Kingdom from 24 to 26 March 2025 as part of the preparation of her report on “The challenges and needs of public and private actors in migration management.”

She visited London, Dover, and Canterbury, where she met with representatives of the Home Office, the office of Mr Danny Beales MP, UNHCR, the UK delegation to PACE, and civil society actors involved in the reception and assistance of migrants. She also visited several reception facilities and centres for migrants, as well as communities actively welcoming and supporting migrants in their daily lives.

The United Kingdom continues to face regular arrivals of migrants crossing the Channel. Despite these ongoing arrivals, the rapporteur observed the strong commitment of both public and private actors in managing the situation, including through expedited asylum procedures.

The visit highlighted the urgent need for a harmonised European approach to age assessment for unaccompanied migrant children, aligned with the Council of Europe’s recommendations.