UK and France strike new “small boats” deal

The UK and France have agreed a new three-year border security deal aimed at reducing the number of small boat crossings in the English Channel, as both governments seek to respond to sustained migration pressures and political scrutiny. The agreement, worth £662 million, is set to be signed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and will replace a previous arrangement reached in 2023 that expired earlier this year. It comes against the backdrop of record crossing numbers in 2025, which have intensified pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to demonstrate progress on immigration control.

According to details reported by news agencies, the funding will support a significant expansion of French enforcement capacity along the northern coastline. The UK is expected to finance nearly 1,100 personnel, including specialist units trained in public order and maritime operations, while part of the funding—around £160 million—will be linked to measurable outcomes tied to reductions in crossings. French authorities are also expected to deploy additional surveillance tools such as drones and helicopters, with the overall number of officers involved projected to rise to around 1,400 by 2029.

Officials in both countries have framed the agreement as a continuation of joint efforts to disrupt people-smuggling networks and improve monitoring of departure points along the French coast. Previous co-operation has focused on intelligence sharing, patrols and physical interventions to prevent boats from launching, though crossings have continued despite these measures.

The deal has prompted mixed reactions across the political spectrum in the UK. The Refugee Council criticised the approach, arguing that it prioritises enforcement without addressing the underlying causes of migration, such as conflict and displacement. Meanwhile, some Conservative MPs have questioned whether the funding provides sufficient guarantees of effectiveness, raising concerns about accountability and value for money.

French officials have emphasised the operational challenges involved in policing a long and heavily trafficked coastline, noting that increased resources are intended to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities. However, analysts point out that similar agreements in recent years have produced limited long-term reductions in crossings, suggesting that broader geopolitical factors and migrant demand continue to shape the overall trend.