Summary
The UK and France are continuing discussions about a new agreement to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel. The UK has agreed to pay France £16.2 million to extend patrols on French beaches for two more months while they work on the new deal. The current agreement includes efforts to stop migrant smuggling, but the UK wants better enforcement.
Key Facts
- The UK will pay France £16.2 million for beach patrols over the next two months.
- A three-year agreement from 2023 involved the UK paying £476 million for extra patrols in France.
- Talks to renew the agreement have been extended, focusing on increasing French enforcement officers.
- Nearly 700 officers currently patrol French beaches to stop small boat crossings.
- The UK claims the current deal has prevented 42,000 attempts by illegal migrants, but crossings have increased.
- The UK government is pushing for performance-related clauses in the new deal.
- A separate "one-in-one-out" deal with France allows some migrants to be returned to France in exchange for others.
- UK discussions suggest potentially withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights to manage crossings differently.
