"Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated, 'Our work with the French has stopped tens of thousands of illegal migrants boarding boats headed to Britain. But we must do more. This landmark deal will stop illegal migrants making the perilous journey and put people smugglers behind bars.'"
"The Conservatives criticized the government for handing over 'half a billion pounds of our money with no conditions at all,' while Reform UK claimed the funding supports a system that has already failed."
"Crossings in the Channel have increased over the past three years, with 41,472 people arriving in the UK by small boat in 2025, raising concerns about the effectiveness of French enforcement."
"On Saturday, 602 migrants arrived in Dover on nine boats, bringing the total number of arrivals so far in 2026 to more than 6,000, highlighting the ongoing challenge of illegal migration."
The UK and France have agreed on a £662m deal to combat illegal migration across the English Channel. This three-year agreement will deploy at least 50 riot-trained police officers to manage violence and hostile crowds. France will also utilize drones, helicopters, and a new camera system to intercept smugglers. UK funding may be redirected if France fails to reduce crossings. Despite previous efforts, illegal crossings have increased, prompting criticism of French enforcement. Recent statistics show a significant rise in migrant arrivals in the UK.
Read at www.bbc.com
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