Downing Street has said the small boats situation in the English Channel is "deteriorating", ahead of a key UK-France summit next month on border security. Meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to "work closely" to tackle crossings, a No 10 spokesperson said. They added that both leaders agreed migration should be a key focus of their meetings during Macron'sstate visit from 8 July to 10 July. Official figures show more than1,500 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats last week, pushing the total for the year to just over 16,000 - 42% higher than at the same point last year. The leaders agreed "that their teams should pursue high-ambition outcomes that deliver for the British and French people," the spokesperson said. "Migration should be a key focus given the deteriorating situation in the Channel, they confirmed," the spokesperson added. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said "the Channel crisis is spiralling out of control" under Sir Keir's watch. "The gangs are laughing, the boats keep coming, and Labour's response is to form another taskforce and hold a summit. It's weak and it's embarrassing," he added. Ministers have been pushing for the French government to implement new rules to make it easier to intercept boats. In 2023,the previous Conservative government strucka deal to give France almost £500m over three years to go towards extra officers to help stop migrants making the journey. Official figures showFrench authorities have intercepted fewer than 58% of recorded boat crossings this year. In March, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the French government was reviewing its policies to tighten up policing around small boats, and recent days have seen a more aggressive posture from French police. On Tuesday, officers used tear gas and batons to disperse migrants attempting to board dinghies near Gravelines, near Calais. Labour campaigned on a promise to "smash the criminal boat gangs" bringing migrants to the UK, and the Sir Keir has made tackling illegal immigration and "restoring order" to the asylum system a priority for the government. After coming to government, Labour immediately scrapped the Conservative government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda,redirecting funds to enhanced border security initiatives. But Channel crossings have hit 40,000 since Labour took office in July 2024 - a 21% increase on the same period the year before. Over the same period, 940 boats have been intercepted - stopping nearly 28,000 migrants from reaching the UK. The government has pointed to good weatherand the willingness of people smugglers to cram more people onto small boatsas factors driving the spike in migration crossings. It has prompted the Conservatives to accuse ministers of "blaming the weather" for the rise in numbers. Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletterto keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
Small boats situation getting worse, says No 10
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Downing Street Reports Deteriorating Situation of Small Boat Crossings in English Channel"
Bbc News
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Downing Street has recently acknowledged that the situation regarding small boats crossing the English Channel is worsening, particularly as the UK prepares for a significant summit with France focused on border security. This acknowledgment comes in light of a meeting between Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK Labour Party, and French President Emmanuel Macron during the G7 summit in Canada. Both leaders have committed to collaborating closely in addressing the ongoing issue of illegal crossings. Recent statistics reveal that over 1,500 migrants made the perilous journey across the Channel in small boats last week alone, bringing the total number of crossings this year to over 16,000, which is a staggering 42% increase compared to the same period last year. The spokesperson from No 10 emphasized that migration will be a central topic during Macron's state visit scheduled for July 8-10, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for both countries to strive for impactful solutions that benefit their citizens.
In response to this escalating crisis, Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized the Labour government under Starmer for failing to effectively manage the situation, claiming that the crisis has spiraled out of control and that the government's approach has been inadequate. He noted that criminal gangs are thriving amid the chaos, while Labour's response has been limited to forming taskforces and convening summits. Furthermore, the UK government has been urging France to adopt stricter measures to intercept boats more effectively. Despite a previous deal with the French government that allocated nearly £500 million over three years to enhance border security, official figures indicate that French authorities have successfully intercepted less than 58% of recorded crossings this year. In recent events, French police have adopted a more aggressive stance by using tear gas and batons against migrants trying to board boats, indicating an escalating response to the crisis. Labour has pledged to dismantle the networks of criminal gangs facilitating these crossings and has shifted focus towards strengthening border security, although the number of crossings has continued to rise, reaching nearly 40,000 since Labour took office in July 2024, which is a 21% increase from the previous year.
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