Andy Burnham has warned Emmanuel Macron not to be “complacent” when dealing with the Channel migrant crisis amid the growing use of “mega-dinghies”.
The two men are set to meet in Downing Street tomorrow to discuss what more could be done to tackle illegal migration after Britain and France signed a £660million deal aimed at curbing the number of asylum seekers sneaking into Britain
Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, says the deal and other measures to stop migrants making dangerous sea journeys in search of refuge are “bearing fruit” after recent data revealed the number of crossings this summer was the lowest in seven years.
Some 102 boats brought migrants to Kent between June and August this year, according to the Home Office.
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However, recent reports suggest smuggling gangs are evading French authorities and loading more people onto larger boats, with vessels carrying an average of 68 people – a figure that has more than doubled since 2021.
The interception rate of illegal migrants has barely moved despite the bilateral deal, with the Gendarmerie failing to stop 120 boats from arriving on British soil in the three months since the agreement was put in writing.
Mr Macron, the French President, arrived in London today to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum alongside Mr Burnham and King Charles.
Tomorrow, he will reunite with the Prime Minister in No10 to discuss “shared challenges”, including the emergence of “mega-dinghies” which can ferry more than 200 passengers.
The pair will announce plans to deploy a surge team of 45 officers to prevent launches from further along the French coast, which will triple resources across the country’s Western beaches.
A specialist French intelligence and judicial unit to identify criminal networks will also be expanded from 18 to 30 officers.
France has established a specialist unit of 75 officers dedicated to tackling crossings in the region, taking the total number of staff to nearly 1,050, as well as a 50-person-strong public order team.
In a statement before he meets with Mr Macron, Mr Burnham said the UK and France “need to respond quickly and stay one step ahead of the criminals facilitating the dangerous crossings”.
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He said: “The progress we have seen this summer shows what can be achieved when the UK and France work together.
“But I am clear that we cannot be complacent.
“The small boats crisis is a shared European challenge, and no country can solve it alone.
“Working with France and our international partners, we will restore order and control to our borders and prevent smugglers exploiting vulnerable migrants.”
Ms Mahmood urged allies to be “relentless” in the pursuit of stopping the boats and “continue efforts on all fronts to tackle these illegal and dangerous crossings”.
She added: “We are boosting officer numbers to record highs to crack down on small boat launches and the gangs behind them.
“This work is bearing fruit.
“Over 48,000 crossing attempts have been prevented, small boat crossing numbers are down and removals of those here illegally are at record levels.”
Mr Burnham and Mr Macron are also expected to discuss how Europe can step up support for Ukraine this winter, drive forward efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz amid the United States’ conflict with Iran and deepen post-Brexit ties with the European Union.
The Labour leader is expected to continue to push for greater cooperation with Brussels a decade after Britons voted to leave the bloc.
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