The UK government has agreed to pay France £16.2m to extend beach patrols for two months, as negotiations continue over a renewed deal to curb small boat crossings in the English Channel.
The extension follows a £476m UK-France agreement signed in 2023, which funded increased French enforcement against migrant smuggling networks. Talks are ongoing, with the UK seeking enhanced operational measures.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said cooperation had prevented 42,000 attempted crossings, adding efforts would continue while a “new and improved” agreement is finalised.
Key developments:
• £16.2m allocated for a two-month extension of French patrol operations
• Nearly 700 French officers deployed using drones and beach patrol vehicles
• 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in 2025 despite enforcement measures
• UK considering performance-based funding tied to interception rates
Political responses remain divided. Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary, criticised the payments, while Will Forster MP called for expanded returns agreements. Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage reiterated calls to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
ℹ️ BBC News
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