SIR Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are unveiling a new plan to tackle the soaring scourge of small boat crossings.
The PM and French President have agreed a new “one in, one out” system, which will see 50 illegal migrants sent from Dover back to Calais every week.
French President Emmanuel Macron Sir Keir Starmer arrive for a joint military visit in Northwood[/caption]
The pair visited the Maritime Command Centre at the military headquarters[/caption]
Illegal migrants smile and wave on board a dinghy set sail for Britain today[/caption]
In exchange, the UK will take some asylum seekers from France who have legitimate claims and family in Britain.
Sir Keir will also continue paying French cops £750m to stop dinghy departures.
At the Northwood Military Headquarters in Hertfordshire Sir Keir and Mr Macron insisted the deal would break the business model of the smuggling gangs, with migrants unwilling to pay thousands for a crossing if they could be sent straight back.
But the agreement is equivalent to just 2,600 returns annually, compared with the 44,000 who have arrived since Labour took power a year ago.
And this year alone more than 21,117 migrants had crossed the Channel – a 56 per cent rise on the same period in 2024.
The announcement of the deal concludes a three-day State Visit to the UK by Mr Macron, who also dined with King Charles and members of the royal family.
Earlier today the PM and French President were seen embracing outside Downing Street earlier, with Sir Keir vowing to tackle illegal immigration with “new tactics” and a “new level of intent”.
Mr Macron said the UK and France “share the same will” insisting France will “engage all countries who share a responsibility alongside us”.
It comes after stark images highlighting the small boats crisis were captured this morning with individuals crammed into an inflatable dinghy as it crosses the Channel.
The group, seen wearing life jackets, have one leg hanging over the vessel’s ledge so more people can be packed in.
Nigel Farage was aboard a fishing vessel in the Channel, where he witnessed first-hand SEVENTY migrants being escorted by France into British waters.
The Reform UK leader looked on as a Border Force boat waited for the crammed dinghy to arrive for the handover.
British and French authorities in shocking footage.
Illegal migrants waved and celebrated as they set sail for Britain.
Mr Farage blasted successive UK governments who have handed £750 million to France to deal with the small boats issue – but the crisis continues.
