A new deal between the UK and France allocates £660 million to combat illegal Channel crossings, though questions remain about whether funds will be tied to reducing the number of arrivals.

New Agreement Details

The agreement, led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, commits an initial £500 million from the UK to bolster French beach patrols. These patrols aim to prevent migrants from attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats.

An additional £160 million is allocated as performance-related funding, intended to incentivize increased French efforts. However, Downing Street has clarified that this funding isn’t solely dependent on a decrease in the overall number of crossings.

Performance Metrics

Instead, the assessment will consider factors like the number of arrests made and disruptions to illegal crossings. This represents a shift towards a more nuanced evaluation of French efforts.

Criticism and Public Opinion

Opposition figures have criticized the deal, arguing that France should only receive funds if it demonstrably stops a significant number of boats. Public skepticism is also high.

So far this year, over 6,000 migrants have reached the UK, with a single-day peak of 602 arrivals. A YouGov poll revealed that 61% of Britons do not believe France is genuinely trying to prevent migrants from reaching the UK.

Detention Centre

The agreement includes the construction of a 140-place detention centre near Dunkirk. This centre is intended to facilitate the detention and deportation of migrants intercepted on French beaches.

Past Agreements and Total Funding

This deal builds on previous agreements, including one initiated in March 2023 by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Past efforts have had mixed results, with France preventing only about a third of attempted crossings last year.

Since 2018, British taxpayers’ money allocated to France for Channel crossing management is projected to exceed £1.3 billion. The UK government has also scrapped the previous Rwanda asylum plan, shifting focus to cooperation with France and a ‘payment by results’ system.

The long-term effectiveness of the agreement will be closely monitored as a key part of the UK’s border control strategy.