The UK government has agreed to pay France an additional £660 million over three years to reduce the number of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel. The deal, to be signed on Thursday by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, includes funding for a 50-strong riot squad trained in crowd control tactics to 'contain and disperse' people attempting to board small boats.
Under the agreement, 1,100 enforcement, intelligence and military officers—a 40% increase—will be deployed to target smuggling gangs and migrants. The UK will fund batons, shields and teargas for the riot squad. The previous £478 million, three-year deal expired on 31 March.
Charities have criticised the plans. Sile Reynolds of Freedom from Torture called it a 'deeply alarming escalation', warning that men, women and children seeking safety would face indiscriminate force. Imran Hussain of the Refugee Council said policing alone would not stop desperate people from risking dangerous crossings without safe routes.
The deal includes a baseline package of £500 million for enforcement on northern French beaches, covering five new police units, 20 additional maritime officers, an expanded intelligence unit, and two new helicopters. A further £160 million is set aside for 'new approaches', with the first year's £50 million payment subject to results; the remaining £110 million may be withheld if no impact is seen.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the agreement would 'ramp up intelligence, surveillance and boots on the ground to protect Britain’s borders'. The Home Office reported that in the past two months, French officials stopped six 'taxi boats' and secured prison sentences for smugglers.
