UK and France Vow Joint Action on Record Channel Crossings
What happened
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron held talks at Downing Street on Wednesday, agreeing to make small boat Channel crossings a joint priority. Both leaders committed to stepping up action against people-smuggling gangs, with the UK pushing for tougher French enforcement and France urging the UK to reduce “pull factors” that draw migrants to British shores.
Why it matters
More than 21,000 people have crossed the Channel so far in 2025 – a record high for this stage of the year. The crossings remain a political flashpoint in both countries, raising questions about border security, asylum policy, and international cooperation.
Reaction
No. 10 described the talks as “constructive”, while Macron’s team highlighted the need for long-term solutions, not just enforcement. Campaigners have called for safer legal routes, warning that crackdowns alone won’t stop the crossings.
What next
The leaders are expected to outline “concrete progress” at a UK-France summit on Thursday, with new measures possibly announced to target smuggling networks and manage migration flows.
