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France finally agrees to intercept migrant boats at sea  months after deal to stop crossings agreed

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French border patrol will FINALLY intercept small boats crossing English Channel in the water

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France agrees to intercept migrant boats for first time

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The UK deepens cooperation with France on people smuggling

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Unauthorised migration: Timeline and overview of UK-French co-operation

France vows to help stop smuggling boats after record number of migrants cross Channel

Small boat arrivals and the impact of crossing conditions

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Britain has 'lost control' of its borders, defence secretary tells Sky News

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UK Channel migrant deal with France extended until 2027

France and UK find common ground on tackling illegal Channel crossings

The French are the true enemy

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Markus Gastinger

Sara B. Hobolt

Hans Vollaard

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Jon Henley

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Marine Le Pen

"[T]he EU will have more, not fewer, members by the mid-2030s — possibly as many as 36 compared to today's 27."

"In the (very) long term we will likely see the EU grow from its current 27 states to as many as 35."

"There is no majority in any other member state in government, parliament or public opinion for a full exit from the EU."

There's "no room for complacency over the future prospects of disintegration."

"[W]e could have a referendum on 'Dexit' — a German exit from the EU" if a reform of the bloc isn't possible.

"If we do not manage migration... In some time, the EU may fall apart."

“I believe others will leave. I do think keeping it together is not gonna be as easy as a lot of people think.”

Brexit "will trigger a domino effect."

Brexit "will set off the domino effect that will bring down all of Europe."

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Bob Blackman

"Starmer has no intention of stopping the boats."

Starmer's "track record, Labour's track record, the Home Secretary's track record and their actions here in Britain suggest there is no desire, or plan, to actually stop the boats."

"The boats will come, and numbers are likely to continue rising."

Starmer is "on track to smash the record for small boat crossings, with numbers up 44%."

"Labour has no intention of doing this [reducing small boat crossings], and Martin Hewitt is the perfect example of their lack of action."

"It [small boat crossings] is 38% worse than the previous worst year, so things are getting worse, not better."

"It [reduction in small boat crossings] can be done if there's the political will."

"[W]e will stop at nothing to dismantle their [people-smuggling gangs] business models [illegal small boat crossings] and bring them to justice."

Will Labour Reduce Small Boat Crossings in the English Channel?

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France has reportedly agreed to develop a plan by summer 2025 to intercept migrant boats within 300 meters of its coastline following an increase in small boat crossings in the English Channel this year.

France has reportedly agreed to develop a plan by summer 2025 to intercept migrant boats within 300 meters of its coastline following an increase in small boat crossings in the English Channel this year.

The new strategy reportedly involves increasing France's naval capacity with six new patrol boats, including the 46-meter Rozel capable of carrying 20 gendarmes, designed to intercept "taxi boats" before they depart for the U.K.

The new strategy reportedly involves increasing France's naval capacity with six new patrol boats, including the 46-meter Rozel capable of carrying 20 gendarmes, designed to intercept "taxi boats" before they depart for the U.K.

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/record-migrants-cross-channel-in-single-day">Record-breaking migrant crossings</a> occurred on Saturday with 1,195 people arriving in the U.K. via 19 dinghies, bringing 2025's total so far to 14,812 arrivals, the highest ever number in this period.

Record-breaking migrant crossings occurred on Saturday with 1,195 people arriving in the U.K. via 19 dinghies, bringing 2025's total so far to 14,812 arrivals, the highest ever number in this period.

Weather data reveals 60 "red days" between January and April 2025 when crossings were deemed likely or highly likely, over double the 27 red days in the same period the year prior, with 11,074 migrants arriving during these weather windows this year compared to 7,567 in 2024.

Weather data reveals 60 "red days" between January and April 2025 when crossings were deemed likely or highly likely, over double the 27 red days in the same period the year prior, with 11,074 migrants arriving during these weather windows this year compared to 7,567 in 2024.

U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey has criticized alleged French inaction after police were observed watching migrants board boats at Gravelines beach, stating the U.K. had "lost control of its borders" and that the government was to "push" France to do more.

U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey has criticized alleged French inaction after police were observed watching migrants board boats at Gravelines beach, stating the U.K. had "lost control of its borders" and that the government was to "push" France to do more.

U.K.-France cooperation operates under a £480 million three-year deal established in March 2023. Earlier this year, France reached an agreement with the U.K. to extend this deal to 2027 as well as to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/france-to-allow-police-interception-of-migrant-boats-at-sea">change its law to ensure shallow water interception.</a>

U.K.-France cooperation operates under a £480 million three-year deal established in March 2023. Earlier this year, France reached an agreement with the U.K. to extend this deal to 2027 as well as to change its law to ensure shallow water interception.

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The new strategy involves expanding France's naval capacity with six new patrol boats, including the 46-meter Rozel capable of carrying 20 gendarmes, designed to intercept "taxi boats" before they depart for the UK while respecting UN Convention on the Law of the Sea principles.</span

The new strategy involves expanding France's naval capacity with six new patrol boats, including the 46-meter Rozel capable of carrying 20 gendarmes, designed to intercept "taxi boats" before they depart for the UK while respecting UN Convention on the Law of the Sea principles.

Record-breaking migrant crossings occurred on Saturday with 1,195 people arriving in the UK via 19 dinghies, bringing 2025's total to 14,812 arrivals - the highest number on record, prompting urgent demands from British officials for immediate French action.</span

Record-breaking migrant crossings occurred on Saturday with 1,195 people arriving in the UK via 19 dinghies, bringing 2025's total to 14,812 arrivals - the highest number on record, prompting urgent demands from British officials for immediate French action.

Weather data reveals 60 "red days" between January and April 2025 when crossings were deemed likely or highly likely, nearly double the 27 red days in the same 2024 period, with 11,074 migrants arriving during these favorable weather windows this year.</span

Weather data reveals 60 "red days" between January and April 2025 when crossings were deemed likely or highly likely, nearly double the 27 red days in the same 2024 period, with 11,074 migrants arriving during these favorable weather windows this year.

British Defense Secretary John Healey criticized French inaction after police were observed watching migrants board boats at Gravelines beach, stating Britain had "lost control of its borders" and demanding implementation of previously agreed operational changes.</span

British Defense Secretary John Healey criticized French inaction after police were observed watching migrants board boats at Gravelines beach, stating Britain had "lost control of its borders" and demanding implementation of previously agreed operational changes.

The UK-France cooperation operates under a £480 million three-year deal established in March 2023, with France preventing fewer than 40% of crossing attempts in 2025 - the lowest interception rate on record despite the substantial financial investment.</span

The UK-France cooperation operates under a £480 million three-year deal established in March 2023, with France preventing fewer than 40% of crossing attempts in 2025 - the lowest interception rate on record despite the substantial financial investment.

France has consistently balanced humanitarian obligations with border security while respecting international maritime law. The current approach prioritizes saving lives over aggressive enforcement, and the new framework will maintain these principles while expanding operational capabilities. Weather conditions, not enforcement gaps, primarily drive crossing patterns as demonstrated by the doubling of favorable crossing days this year.

France has consistently balanced humanitarian obligations with border security while respecting international maritime law. The current approach prioritizes saving lives over aggressive enforcement, and the new framework will maintain these principles while expanding operational capabilities. Weather conditions, not enforcement gaps, primarily drive crossing patterns as demonstrated by the doubling of favorable crossing days this year.

France Plans Sea Interception of Migrant Boats by Summer

France

Immigration & refugees

Politics

United Kingdom

The U.K. and France must work together to create safe routes for refugees. A humane, cooperative approach focused on family reunion and protection, not deterrence, is the best way to prevent dangerous crossings. Instead of blaming each other, both governments should share responsibility and uphold their duty to protect people fleeing war and persecution.

The U.K. and France must work together to create safe routes for refugees. A humane, cooperative approach focused on family reunion and protection, not deterrence, is the best way to prevent dangerous crossings. Instead of blaming each other, both governments should share responsibility and uphold their duty to protect people fleeing war and persecution.

France continues to pocket British cash while doing next to nothing to stop the boats. Gendarmes watch dinghies launch without lifting a finger, and still the U.K. pays. Starmer, terrified of offending Brussels, has consistently refused to call this con out. Instead of smashing the gangs, Labour is smashing the U.K. credibility while letting France take them for fools.

France continues to pocket British cash while doing next to nothing to stop the boats. Gendarmes watch dinghies launch without lifting a finger, and still the U.K. pays. Starmer, terrified of offending Brussels, has consistently refused to call this con out. Instead of smashing the gangs, Labour is smashing the U.K. credibility while letting France take them for fools.

Carl Court/Getty Images via Getty Images

France Plans Sea Interception of Migrant Boats by Summer

France Plans Sea Interception of Migrant Boats by Summer

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France Plans Sea Interception of Migrant Boats by Summer

France Plans Sea Interception of Migrant Boats by Summer

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