Anglo-French negotiations over a migration deal were deadlocked on Wednesday night, with disagreements over how much Britain will pay for policing small boat crossings. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had hoped to announce a returns deal during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit, but aides on both sides said significant hurdles remain.
Key sticking points include financial contributions, potential legal challenges in France, and opposition from other European countries. The UK previously signed a £480 million deal for border patrols and surveillance equipment, but France is now seeking additional funding for police, boats, and drones to enforce interception policies. A French source described Paris's demands as 'clearly very politically sensitive' for the UK.
Other obstacles include concerns from the Med 5 group—Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain—who fear that asylum seekers returned from the UK to France might travel back through Europe. Starmer has also sought to address Macron's concerns about the UK's hidden economy acting as a 'pull factor' by announcing increased immigration enforcement raids.
Despite the challenges, a Downing Street spokesperson said the leaders agreed that tackling irregular migration is a shared priority requiring shared solutions. The talks continue as Macron's state visit proceeds, with both leaders seeking to demonstrate improved UK-EU relations.
