The UK and France have reached a new three-year agreement valued at £662 million to combat the increasing number of undocumented migrants crossing the English Channel. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to sign the deal, which focuses on enhancing law enforcement and surveillance measures to deter these perilous crossings.
Why it matters: The agreement reflects a growing urgency to tackle the rising trend of small boat crossings, which have surged over recent years. With 41,472 individuals arriving in the UK by small boat in 2025, the deal is intended to curb this influx and address public concerns about illegal migration.
The deal will see the deployment of at least 50 riot-trained police officers in France, aimed at controlling crowds and preventing migrants from boarding small boats.
France has committed to increasing its coastal law enforcement presence by more than half, reaching 1,400 officers by 2029.
The agreement builds upon the Sandhurst treaty, first signed in 2018, which governs UK-French cooperation on migration issues.
Driving the news: The deal comes as the UK government faces mounting pressure to reduce illegal crossings. On Saturday, 602 migrants arrived in Dover on nine boats, bringing the total for 2026 to over 6,000, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures.
Under the terms of the agreement, the UK will provide up to €766 million ($897 million) in funding, with nearly a quarter of that contingent on the success of French enforcement measures.
If French authorities fail to show sufficient results in stopping crossings, the UK government has indicated that funding may be redirected to alternative actions.
In addition to police officers, the deal includes funding for drones, helicopters, and advanced surveillance technologies to intercept people smugglers.
State of play: The renewed focus on enforcement has sparked criticism from various quarters, including asylum advocacy groups who argue that policing alone will not address the root causes of migration.
Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, stated, "Policing alone will not prevent desperate people from turning to dangerous small boats in the first place."
Asylum advocates have expressed concern that the new policing measures could lead to increased violence against vulnerable migrants seeking refuge.
The UK government claims to have deported or returned nearly 60,000 illegal migrants since it took office, emphasizing its commitment to controlling immigration.
The big picture: The deal is part of a broader strategy to manage migration in the face of rising public concern over illegal crossings and the activities of people smugglers.
Since 2018, the number of small boat crossings has remained high, with 2025 recording the second-highest figure since large-scale crossings began.
Over the past year, smugglers have adapted their tactics, leading to increasingly dangerous conditions for migrants attempting the crossing.
The UK government insists that enhanced surveillance and enforcement will disrupt smuggling networks before boats reach open water.
What they're saying: Political responses to the new deal have varied, with some praising the initiative and others criticizing its reliance on policing.
Shabana Mahmood stated, "This landmark deal will stop illegal migrants making the perilous journeys and put people smugglers behind bars."
Conservative MP Chris Philp criticized the deal, arguing that France has not done enough to prevent crossings and should not receive funding without demonstrable results.
Labour leader Keir Starmer called the agreement historic, emphasizing the need for increased intelligence and surveillance to protect Britain’s borders.
By the numbers: The statistics surrounding Channel crossings paint a stark picture of the current situation.
In 2025, 41,472 people arrived in the UK by small boat, marking a sharp increase from previous years.
The previous three-year agreement, valued at £478 million, expired on March 31, 2026, prompting the need for a new deal.
At least 29 migrants died attempting to cross the Channel in 2025, underscoring the dangers of the route.
What's next: The new measures are set to be implemented as the summer season approaches, traditionally a peak time for crossings.
The agreement is expected to take effect within weeks, with the deployment of additional officers and resources aimed at curbing crossings.
French authorities have already reported stopping six migrant boats in the past two months, returning all migrants to France and sentencing five smugglers to prison.
Both governments will conduct joint annual assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures and determine future funding allocations.