A new detention centre for migrants attempting to cross the English Channel will be established in Dunkirk, France, as part of a renewed agreement between the UK and France. The facility will have a limited capacity of 140 spaces.

UK-France Agreement and Centre Details

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that French police will detain migrants on beaches and transfer them to the new facility in Dunkirk for subsequent deportation. This agreement stems from initial discussions between then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron in March 2023.

Financial Commitment and Capacity Concerns

The centre is funded by British taxpayers. Despite over 6,000 migrants having already reached the UK this year, including a single-day influx of 602, the facility will only house 140 individuals. The Home Office anticipates the scheme will facilitate the removal of hundreds of migrants annually.

Operational Timeline and Targeted Nationalities

The facility is expected to be operational by year-end and will be staffed by over 100 officers. A trial phase utilizing existing capacity at a removal centre in Coquelles, near Calais, will begin next month.

Prioritized Removals

French police will prioritize the removal of migrants from ten nationalities most frequently attempting the Channel crossing: Eritreans, Afghans, Iranians, Sudanese, Somalis, Ethiopians, Iraqis, Syrians, Vietnamese, and Yemenis. Deportations will target migrants’ countries of origin or other EU nations they have transited through.

Funding and Previous Agreements

This initiative is part of a £160 million ‘payment by results’ agreement between the UK and France, with funding potentially withdrawn if the scheme fails to demonstrate success. Ms. Mahmood emphasized the government’s commitment to curbing illegal crossings and restoring border control.

A broader three-year deal provides France with up to £660 million for patrols and related measures, bringing the total British financial contribution to France since the start of the Channel crisis to over £1.3 billion. Despite a previous £500 million agreement, more than 84,000 migrants have reached Britain via the Channel.

Shift in Policy

Since Labour assumed power, nearly 71,000 migrants have arrived by small boat. The current government’s approach contrasts with the previous administration’s Rwanda asylum plan, which was abandoned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Criticism and Concerns

Critics, like Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, argue the new facility’s limited capacity is inadequate, noting a 45% increase in illegal crossings since Labour took office. Concerns have also been raised about the vagueness of the ‘value for money’ criteria for continued funding.

The Home Secretary acknowledged that a previous agreement with France has yet to significantly reduce migrant numbers, and the government is offering financial incentives for failed asylum seekers to voluntarily leave the UK.