The UK Home Office has announced a commitment to stopping illegal migration via small boats across the Channel, highlighting close collaboration with French authorities that prevented 26,000 attempted crossings in 2023 and resulted in a 36% drop in boat crossings. Despite these efforts, reports indicate that the rate of Channel crossings this January matches that of the previous year, with over 1,000 attempts. The UK and France have pledged to intensify their cooperation, with France agreeing to patrol the skies over its beaches and deploy drones to monitor the north coast. A £480 million deal between the two nations aims to accelerate measures to combat illegal migration, with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly meeting with French officials to discuss further actions. However, there are also reports linking the UK-France small boats pact to a doubling in drownings.
Britain and France to speed up efforts to tackle small boat crossings https://t.co/iu7a5jVwT5 https://t.co/V8qvbOnVSt
France has agreed to the regular use of drones to monitor migrants attempting to cross the Channel. Westminster officials believe the move could be a “game-changer” ⬇️ https://t.co/4b1N48HtiZ
Britain and France ease tension: accelerated measures to combat illegal migration on small boats https://t.co/uht0jgGjD9 https://t.co/yeqamH5xuV
The UK and France have agreed to work more closely to tackle illegal immigration. Former Home Office adviser Claire Pearsall: “You always need to have a working relationship with France… but it’s got to be a meaningful one. You can’t just keep piling money over.” #TalkTV https://t.co/Mo2rC94Oap
Drones to be deployed by France to track migrants on north coast as @jamescleverly pledges UK and France will go “further and faster” under their £480 million deal to stop the boats. @Michael4MDNP @VotePursglove @reporterboy https://t.co/PTNQORDqaV https://t.co/eQF1jKXk92
France is a friend, neighbour and vital ally against the criminal gangs that fuel illegal migration. Our joint working cut small boat crossings by 36% last year. Great to meet @GDarmanin in Paris yesterday and discuss how we continue working to stop the boats. https://t.co/EqlBHPZ9Va
France agrees to patrol the skies over its beaches in new crackdown on Channel migrant crossings https://t.co/PFlD17LsUi https://t.co/cDu6HUaYAt
UK and France pledge 'closer cooperation' on tackling illegal migration https://t.co/dy1KJiYuZs
Cleverly praises French for tackling illegal migration as boats reaching UK drop by 36 per cent https://t.co/0Zht3YPfWa
UK and France’s small boats pact and doubling in drownings ‘directly linked’ https://t.co/8j2r8NvMQO
Channel boat crossings have passed 1,000 this month – on a par with the same period last year – despite extra measures to deter migrants from coming to Britain. https://t.co/Uj7WSD0FPN https://t.co/Y0nZXTn8vc
🔴 Crackdown fails to stop Channel migrants as small boats cross at same rate as last January https://t.co/w8ZJU0WwPg
We are committed to stopping the boats. Close working with our French partners meant 26,000 attempted Channel crossings were prevented in 2023. Find out more about the action we are taking 👇 https://t.co/M67LSIA3NJ