Initially established as a ten-month pilot, Operation Hillmore tested ways of returning to France individuals who arrived in the UK illegally by small boats, while simultaneously providing a controlled legal route for eligible migrants in France to enter the UK. The pilot was established with considerable speed and was due to end on 11 June 2026 but was extended until 1 October 2026.
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The inspection examined whether the pilot was meeting its aims, the arrangements in place to evaluate its effectiveness, including how lessons learned were identified and applied, and the challenges associated with any transition from pilot to full implementation.
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The inspection found that the pilot demonstrated that a jointly linked IN and OUT agreement could be established and made to work using existing practices and ways of working that were legally robust. Key contributors were the high priority and availability of resources given to Hillmore within the Home Office and strong leadership of the pilot coordinating work across the migration and borders system.
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However, the inspection also found that clear criteria for assessing the overall success of the pilot were not established at the outset. The pilot’s overtly stated aims focused on high-level strategic objectives such as deterring migrants from using small boats where multiple other factors were in play. This makes it difficult to evaluate Operation Hillmore’s specific contribution to any reduction in small boat arrivals.
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There is much to be learnt from Operation Hillmore that could inform future work within the Home Office and an extensive lessons learnt exercise needs to be held as soon as possible, before the redeployment of key staff.
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The report makes three recommendations intended to strengthen the design, delivery and evaluation of future Home Office pilots. The inspection report was sent to the Home Secretary on 16 July 2026. The Home Office has fully accepted all three recommendations. I am encouraged to see that work is already taking place to deliver on my recommendations.
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John Tuckett, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
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10 November 2026
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