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Small boats situation getting worse, says No 10 Starmer says he favours more 'transactional' approach to granting visas
(about 5 hours later)
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. The UK prime minister has said he is considering whether the British visas could be issued based on how well countries co-operate with the UK on issues such as taking back failed asylum seekers.
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. Sir Keir Starmer told reporters he favours a "much more transactional" approach to the issue, as the government admits the situation in the English Channel is "deteriorating."
They added that both leaders agreed migration should be a key focus of their meetings during Macron's state visit from 8 July to 10 July. Meeting on the side-lines of the G7 summit in Canada, Sir Keir and the French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to "work closely" to tackle crossings, a No 10 spokesman said.
Official figures show more than 1,500 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. Downing Street added both leaders agreed that migration should be a key focus of their meetings during the president's state visit to the UK in July.
The leaders agreed "that their teams should pursue high-ambition outcomes that deliver for the British and French people," the spokesperson said. Official figures show more than 1,500 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.
"Migration should be a key focus given the deteriorating situation in the Channel, they confirmed," the spokesperson added. "It is a serious challenge that requires serious responses to it," Sir Keir told reporters at the summit in Kananaskis in the Canadian Rockies.
Despite repeated questions from journalists, the prime minister's spokesman declined to say what Sir Keir and Macron meant by the situation "deteriorating". "We are looking at issues like a smarter use of our visas, looking at whether we should tie our visas to the work that the countries we're dealing with are doing on preventative measures and on return agreements," he said.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said "the Channel crisis is spiralling out of control" under Sir Keir's watch. He said he was looking at what the government could do on returns agreements of illegal migrants with other countries.
"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. "We have done a number of bilateral returns agreements. So the question is, again, whether it is possible to go a bit beyond that. We are including looking at this question of visas now and whether we can't be a bit smarter with the use of our visas in relation to countries that don't have a returns agreement with us."
He added this would be more "transactional" as an approach.
"But you know, do we need to do more?" he said. "Yes, we do, and it's by working together that I think we can achieve that. But it was a central part of my discussion, certainly with France, with Germany and with Italy."
Ministers have been pushing for the French government to implement new rules to make it easier to intercept boats.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 struck a deal to give France almost £500m over three years to go towards extra officers to help stop migrants making the journey.In 2023, the previous Conservative government struck a deal to give France almost £500m over three years to go towards extra officers to help stop migrants making the journey.
Official figures show French authorities have intercepted fewer than 58% of recorded boat crossings this year.Official figures show French 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.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.
It comes as PA Media reported French officers used tear gas and batons to disperse migrants attempting to board dinghies in near Gravelines, near Calais.It comes as PA Media reported French officers used tear gas and batons to disperse migrants attempting to board dinghies in near Gravelines, near Calais.
Pictures show men, women, and children running through a cloud of smoke from sand dunes to the sea, where they waited nearly an hour before boarding the small boat.Pictures show men, women, and children running through a cloud of smoke from sand dunes to the sea, where they waited nearly an hour before boarding the small boat.
Well over 50 migrants made it aboard the small black dinghy before it finally took off into the Channel, PA said.Well over 50 migrants made it aboard the small black dinghy before it finally took off into the Channel, PA said.
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.
Migrants claimed they had been hit by tear gas as they ran to the water on a beach in Gravelines.Migrants claimed they had been hit by tear gas as they ran to the water on a beach in Gravelines.
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.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.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.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.Over the same period, 940 boats have been intercepted - stopping nearly 28,000 migrants from reaching the UK.
The government has pointed to good weather and the willingness of people smugglers to cram more people onto small boats as factors driving the spike in migration crossings.The government has pointed to good weather and the willingness of people smugglers to cram more people onto small boats as factors driving the spike in migration crossings.
It has prompted the Conservatives to accuse ministers of "blaming the weather" for the rise in numbers.It has prompted the Conservatives to accuse ministers of "blaming the weather" for the rise in numbers.
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