UK to pay France another £660m to curb Channel crossings
Summary
The UK government will pay France £660 million over three years to help stop people from crossing the Channel in small boats. This deal includes funding more officers, a riot squad, and equipment to control crowds and catch smugglers.Key Facts
- The UK agreed to pay France £660 million to reduce illegal Channel crossings by asylum seekers.
- The deal will last three years and increase enforcement, intelligence, and military officers by 40%.
- A new 50-person riot squad will be trained to control crowds and stop people trying to board boats.
- The funding includes batons, shields, and teargas for use by French police.
- The previous £478 million deal ended on March 31 and negotiations took time to finalize the new agreement.
- The plan includes new police units, more maritime officers, helicopters, and a camera system to track smugglers.
- UK government will spend £50 million in the first year and may withhold future payments based on results.
- Refugee groups have raised concerns about the impact of tougher policing on vulnerable asylum seekers.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.