Small Boat Crossings Dropped After Labour's Policy Took Effect

The Impact of the UK-French Migrant Returns Deal

The proportion of small boat migrants stopped from crossing the Channel by French police has significantly decreased since the implementation of the Labour government's 'one in, one out' deal. New data reveals that 28.7 per cent of migrant attempts have been prevented since the agreement with President Emmanuel Macron’s government came into effect in August. This is a notable decline compared to the 38 per cent prevention rate observed in an equivalent 13-week period prior to the deal.

This year has witnessed the second-highest annual number of Channel crossings since the crisis began in 2018. Despite this, the UK has allocated hundreds of millions of pounds in taxpayer funds to France for security patrols on their beaches. However, the results have not met expectations.

In the 13 weeks before the returns deal became operational, French authorities prevented 8,521 crossings. In contrast, only 4,635 crossings were prevented in the subsequent 13 weeks. During these periods, the number of migrant arrivals in the UK dropped from 13,920 to 11,518, partly due to high winds in the Channel last month.

While arrivals fell by 17 per cent, the reduction in preventions was much steeper at 45 per cent, indicating that factors beyond weather played a role in the increased crossings.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the situation, stating, “Preventing only a quarter of embarkation attempts is pathetic. We have seen 2,000 illegal immigrants cross in a four-day period recently. The Government has lost control of our borders.”

This development further challenges Labour’s efforts to address small boat migration. The ‘one in, one out’ scheme faced setbacks when deported migrants returned to Britain. There have been two instances where migrants removed to France reappeared on the northern beaches and crossed back into the UK via small boats.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his Attorney General, Lord Hermer, both former human rights lawyers, have pledged that the UK will never leave the European Convention of Human Rights. This stance is supported by both the Conservatives and Reform UK, who argue it is essential to tackle the crisis effectively.

French efforts have also been hindered by the failure to update maritime laws to allow the interception of small boats once they are in the water. A measure to intercept boats within 300 metres of shore was promised in July when the returns agreement was announced but has yet to be implemented. Concerns about the risks to migrants and police officers have delayed this change.

A report by the House of Commons Library, published in July, highlighted that £658 million has been provided to France by the UK since 2018. An additional £114 million was given in the previous four years for other security measures, such as at Calais port or addressing issues with migrant camps. This totals over £770 million over 12 years, according to the research.

A Home Office spokesperson stated, “We are furious at the level of illegal migrants entering the country on small boats. Joint operations with the French have intercepted over 20,000 entering the country over the last year. However, we must go further with the French to prevent boats entering our waters and scale up the removal of illegal migrants.”

Key Questions Surrounding the Crisis

As migrant crossings reach staggering new heights, the effectiveness of the UK-French partnership in protecting British shores from this escalating crisis remains in question. What obstacles are preventing French police from intercepting migrant boats, and how is this impacting the UK's Channel crossing crisis? Will France's new approach to stop boats entering the UK finally deter migrants from risking their lives crossing the Channel? Additionally, is the UK's financial support to France truly curbing the relentless tide of illegal migrants attempting the dangerous journey across the Channel?