UK to pay France another £660m to curb Channel crossings

The UK government has agreed to pay France an additional £660 million under a new three-year deal aimed at reducing the number of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel in small boats. The agreement includes funding for an expanded enforcement presence, with 1,100 officers—an increase of 40%—tasked with targeting smuggling networks and unauthorized crossings. A 50-strong riot squad will also be trained in crowd-control tactics to “contain and disperse” migrants attempting to board boats, with equipment such as batons, shields, and teargas reportedly funded by the UK. This deal follows the collapse of a previous £478 million agreement on March 31 and comes amid ongoing tensions between the UK and France over responsibility and costs related to managing Channel crossings. The Home Office emphasizes that the new measures will help disrupt smuggling gangs and prevent dangerous journeys. However, the introduction of riot control tactics has drawn sharp criticism from refugee advocacy groups, who warn that such measures risk further brutalizing vulnerable people seeking safety. Charities like Freedom from Torture and the Refugee Council argue that policing alone will not address the root causes driving migrants to attempt perilous crossings. Many asylum seekers have ties to the UK, including language skills and family connections, but lack safe and legal routes to enter the country. Advocates highlight that migrants often face violence and hardship before reaching Europe and fear that increased use of force by French police, who have previously been criticized for their heavy-handed tactics, will exacerbate their suffering. The new funding and operational plans underscore the UK government’s focus on deterrence and enforcement in its immigration strategy, while raising ethical and humanitarian concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers. The ongoing challenge of managing Channel crossings remains a contentious issue with significant political, legal, and human rights implications for both countries.