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 intercept migrants. The riot squad will be equipped with batons, shields, and teargas to handle 'hostile crowds and violent tactics,' according to the Home Office. This marks the first time the UK has funded a riot squad specifically for migration control.
The deal follows the collapse of a previous £478 million agreement on 31 March. The new package includes £500 million for baseline enforcement on northern French beaches, covering five new police units, 20 additional maritime officers, an expanded intelligence unit, two helicopters, and a camera system. An extra £160 million is set aside for 'trial new approaches,' with £50 million spent in the first year and the remainder withheld if results are not achieved.
Charities have criticised the plan. Sile Reynolds of Freedom from Torture called it 'deeply alarming,' warning that asylum seekers fleeing persecution would face state violence from French riot police. Imran Hussain of the Refugee Council said policing alone would not deter desperate people, urging safe routes instead. The government argues the deal will protect borders, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer noting it builds on efforts that have stopped tens of thousands of crossings.
