Labour delays new France migrant deal as nearly 1,000 cross Channel | UK | News
Britain’s new Channel migration deal with France has reportedly stalled after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood pushed for a tougher deal that ties British funding directly to the number of crossings stopped by French authorities.
The Home Office is seeking to replace the current arrangement, under which Britain foots around two-thirds of the £160 million annual bill for immigration patrols in northern France, with a payment-by-results model that only releases funds when Paris meets certain intervention targets.
The Express understands Ms Mahmood has appealed for tougher terms, leaving negotiators on both sides concerned about the numbers being exceeded if the current deal ends before a new deal is signed.
France’s record
GB News reports that France’s intervention rate has worsened significantly since the last agreement was signed. Patrols were stopping more than half of all crossing attempts in 2023, the year the deal worth around £500m was agreed, but the figure has since fallen to around 37 per cent.
The threshold Ms Mahmood has set as her target has not been made public, but diplomatic history is not encouraging – Paris is said to have previously abandoned talks when an 80 per cent intervention rate emerged.
A Home Office source involved in the talks told the Times that the Government was determined to “do things differently” and get the best possible terms from Paris.
“They are holding out for as much money as possible,” the source said of the French situation.
The Home Office declined to comment on specific terms but a spokesman said: “We are adding flexibility and innovation to any new agreement with the French to ensure value for money in the long term and a real impact on small craft transit.”
A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer reportedly said that both countries agreed that crossings should be halted, but that the UK wanted to ensure any new deal provided “long-term value for money”.
Transitions are increasing
The figures underscore the pressure to reach a deal quickly. According to GB News, close to 1,000 migrants crossed in a single six-day window after calmer weather opened a window for small boat operators.
Critics have long questioned the value of the current arrangement, noting that the majority of small boats leaving French shores still complete the journey to Britain. Ms Mahmood backed down, arguing that disbanding the French patrols altogether would have far worse consequences.
Lucy Moreton of the Immigration Services Association reportedly questioned what motivation France had for preventing crossings beyond financial and security concerns.
He reportedly said: “These are people who want to leave their country, so why would you stand in their way if they want to leave the country?
“Their only interest is in making sure the migrants leave French waters alive.”
