The Government considers that the overall division of responsibility is clear: the Home Secretary will retain overall accountability for the Government’s illegal migration strategy, whilst the Defence Secretary is assuming responsibility for and control of the operational response to irregular migration by small boats in the Channel. In practice, this means that Defence will be responsible for ensuring small boat migrants in the Channel are identified, intercepted and managed into the wider immigration pathway in a controlled manner. Once the individual has undergone initial processing, the Home Office is responsible for further management of individuals into longer term accommodation or where required, removal from the UK.