A report released by the University of York, Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham reveals that the UK has spent £3.77 billion across 213 private security contracts since 2015 to manage: Border security, control small boat crossings, process asylum and utilise high-tech surveillance in the English Channel.

Small boat crossings according to the analysis, saw an increase from 2018, largely accredited to the security surrounding Northern France making it difficult to enter the UK via lorry.

The UK is set to invest a further £1 billion in open tenders as of December 2024.

Border security investment

While most security contracts relate directly to border control in the English Channel, researchers have found that others are linked to the wider asylum and immigration infrastructure.

The largest contract identified from the analysis was a £1.96 billion agreement with Bristow Group for search and rescue operations.

UK border security endorsed over £500 million in Mitie Care and Custody to manage short-term holding facilities, as well as deploying the construction firm Galliford Try with £170 million to develop detention facilities.

Other security contracts include: £276 million for detention centre operations, £23 million for the use of sniffer dogs and £7.7 million for temporary accommodation facilities.

The analysis report recorded by the Universities of York, Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham, places the UK’s border security economy within a global context, announcing that the border industry is projected to grow from $377 billion in 2023 to $679 billion by 2032.