Cranston Inquiry
CompletedInquiry into the search and rescue response to the English Channel small boat tragedy on 24 November 2021, in which over 30 people died.
Live tracking hearings, witnesses and documents synced daily from the inquiry website
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Search evidence
2 years
Duration
£6.8m
Total Cost
Parliamentary Activity 13 Click to expand
1 debate
4 questions
6 statements
since Sep 2018
Written Ministerial Statement
Initial Response to the Cranston Inquiry
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Labour)
16 Jul 2026
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Labour)
16 Jul 2026
19 May 2026
13 Apr 2026
Hansard Debate
Small Boat Deaths: Cranston Inquiry Report
25 Mar 2026
Reports (1) Click to expand
| Title | Volume | Publication Date | Tracked recs | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cranston Inquiry Report | - | 05 Feb 2026 | 18 |
Timeline (8) Click to expand
09 Nov 2023
Inquiry Announced
11 Jan 2024
Chair Appointed
11 Jan 2024
Terms of Reference Set
Inquiry established to examine the search and rescue response to the Channel tragedy of 24 November 2021.
Source
24 Oct 2024
Preliminary Hearing
A preliminary hearing was held on 24 October 2024.
03 Mar 2025
Oral Evidence Hearings Begin
Oral evidence hearings began on 3 March 2025 (Day 1).
Source
27 Mar 2025
Oral Evidence Concludes
The oral evidence, family impact statements and closing statements phase concluded on 27 March 2025 (Day 16).
05 Feb 2026
Report Published
The Cranston Inquiry final report published, containing 18 recommendations for HM Coastguard, Department for Transport, Home Office, and Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
SourceCosts Click to expand
Total Inquiry Cost (Cumulative)
£6,849,591
to Dec 2025
Cumulative expenditure Apr 2024 - Dec 2025
Cost Breakdown (to Dec 2025)
Inquiry Legal Costs
£3,047,062
Panel remuneration & Counsel to the Inquiry
Core Participant Legal Costs
£1,126,106
Legal funding for core participants
Staff
£1,261,239
Accommodation
£376,672
Technology
£969,082
Other
£69,430
Cumulative total calculated from End of FY 2024-2025 report plus Q1-Q3 2025-2026 quarterly reports. Inquiry established 11 Jan 2024, first financial data from Apr 2024. Non-statutory inquiry into Channel small boat tragedy (24 Nov 2021). Sponsored by Department for Transport. Chaired by Sir Ross Cranston. Legal costs include Chair remuneration, Counsel and solicitor fees. Accommodation covers hearing venue, AV, translation, witness support. Technology covers IT, evidence management, accommodation rent, travel. Other covers expert advisers, specialist services, family meetings. All figures exclude VAT. Inquiry ongoing (Q4 data not yet published).
Cost History
Recommendations (3)
Coastguard role in legislation
Recommendation
The role and functions of HM Coastguard should be set out in up-to-date legislation.
Published evidence summary
Government response: Under Consideration. No public evidence of delivery has been found.
Department for Transport
(Primary)
View Details
Independent external oversight body
Recommendation
An independent external body should be given responsibility for the regular assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of HM Coastguard. Consideration should be given to extending the remit of His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services as …
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Published evidence summary
Government response: Under Consideration. No public evidence of delivery has been found.
Department for Transport
(Primary)
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Reconsider Border Force SAR function
Recommendation
The government should reconsider Mr Downer's recommendation in his independent review of Border Force that Border Force Maritime should not be providing an ongoing search and rescue function in the English Channel, with the result that HM Coastguard would assume …
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Published evidence summary
Government response: Under Consideration. No public evidence of delivery has been found.
Home Office
(Primary)
View Details