Migrants' presence plays a role in the Starmer-Macron meeting
The upcoming state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Britain, scheduled for July 10, will see a significant focus on tackling the escalating issue of migrant crossings in the English Channel. The crisis, which has already surpassed 21,000 migrants crossing this year—the earliest such figure since records began in 2018—has become a top priority for both nations [1][2].
The summit, described as "historic," will cover a broad range of issues, including defence, security, and economic growth, reflecting the depth of UK-France cooperation. However, the Channel crossings crisis will undoubtedly set the tone for discussions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Macron [1].
Reports suggest that new measures to curb irregular migration are expected to be announced during the summit. These may include French police puncturing inflatable boats and laying nets to jam boat propellers, though official confirmation is yet to be received [1].
On the matter of migrant returns, a pilot project is underway that would allow Britain to return individuals who have crossed the Channel by boat to France. In a reciprocal move, France could deport an equivalent number of people to Britain, provided they have the right to live there, such as through family reunification [3].
The two governments are also working on a migrant exchange program, a move that could help alleviate the pressure on both countries [3]. Paris is considering amending its laws to allow police to intercept migrant boats up to 300 meters from the French shoreline [4].
The annual record of 45,774 migrants, reached in 2022, could be surpassed this year. To combat this, the U.K. has signed agreements with countries on migrant transit routes, including Iraq, Serbia, and Germany [5].
In an effort to further strengthen cooperation, the Sandhurst Treaty (2018-2027) sees Britain financing actions taken in France to stop migrants [6]. The new border control law in Britain would grant law enforcement counter-terror style powers to combat people-smuggling gangs [7].
The escalating number of migrants crossing the Channel has increased by 48% compared to last year [4]. The migrants crossing between March 2024 and March 2025 were primarily Afghans, Syrians, Eritreans, Iranians, and Sudanese [8]. Paris is seeking to expand the agreement to the European Union so that readmissions can be shared among several countries [9].
As both countries strive to manage this complex issue, the UK-France summit will aim to enhance and possibly innovate joint efforts to reduce migrant crossings in the Channel, while maintaining humanitarian considerations and upholding international law.
- The Channel crossings crisis, currently a top priority for both nations, is anticipated to spark significant discourse regarding policy-and-legislation and migration during the upcoming UK-France summit.
- In an attempt to address the issue, new measures on crime-and-justice, such as puncturing inflatable boats and laying nets to jam boat propellers, might be announced during the summit, while the general-news of migrant returns and a potential exchange program are also under consideration.
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in various regions, Paris is actively seeking to expand cooperative efforts, including the agreement on migrant readmissions, to the European Union, highlighting the political importance of managing this global challenge.
