UK and France strike new £662m small boats deal

The UK and France have agreed to a new three-year collaboration worth £662 million aimed at curbing illegal migrant crossings through the English Channel. This arrangement includes the deployment of riot-trained officers to French shorelines, alongside advanced technology such as drones, helicopters, and a state-of-the-art surveillance system. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to formalize the deal on Thursday, emphasizing its role in addressing the growing number of unauthorized arrivals.

Enforcement Measures and Funding Conditions

Under the agreement, France will allocate at least 50 officers skilled in crowd control and riot management to tackle unrest and intercept migrant groups. The UK has also committed to funding new maritime assets and personnel. Notably, up to £100 million in UK resources may be reallocated or withdrawn after a year if France fails to significantly reduce crossings.

“Our cooperation with France has already prevented tens of thousands of illegal migrants from reaching Britain. But we must do more. This deal will ensure fewer people attempt the dangerous journey and bring people smugglers to justice,” said Shabana Mahmood.

French authorities have intercepted six small boats in the past two months, returning migrants to France and sentencing five smugglers to prison and deportation. However, critics argue that this progress is insufficient. The Conservatives have accused the government of providing “half a billion pounds of our money with no conditions at all,” claiming that France only stopped a third of crossings last year.

Previous Agreement and New Expansion

The previous £476 million deal, signed in 2023, saw 700 officers patrol French beaches. That agreement is set to expire next month, but the new arrangement will expand the workforce by 42%, deploying nearly 1,100 officers, intelligence agents, and military personnel in northern France. The plan also includes a new vessel and over 20 additional maritime officers to target “taxi boats.”

As of Saturday, 602 migrants reached Dover on nine boats, pushing the 2026 total to more than 6,000. In 2025 alone, 41,472 people arrived in the UK via small boats, prompting calls for stricter enforcement. While French authorities intercept boats at sea, some UK politicians insist they must do more to prevent migrants from boarding.

Political Divisions and Alternative Approaches

Opposition voices differ on the best strategy. Chris Philp, Conservative MP and shadow home secretary, urged the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to create a stronger deterrent. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick demanded “a sovereign deterrent” to detain and deport every illegal migrant. The Liberal Democrats, on the other hand, propose dismantling smuggling networks and establishing a large-scale return agreement.

“Policing alone won’t stop desperate people from choosing dangerous small boats. Without safe routes, these individuals will continue risking their lives,” noted Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council.

In August 2025, the Labour government finalized a separate “one-in-one-out” agreement with France, allowing returns of some arrivals while maintaining equivalent immigration quotas. This new deal aims to build on those efforts, though its success remains a point of contention among political factions.