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Prime ministers

UK and France to Hold Talks on Migrant Crisis as Number of Channel Crossings Hits Record

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The UK and France are set to hold talks on the migrant crisis, as the number of people crossing the English Channel in small boats has reached a record high of over 21,000 this year. The talks, scheduled for Thursday, will be attended by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who have been pressing for tougher action from the French authorities to curb the crossings. The two leaders have been working on a "one in, one out" deal, where small boat migrants would be sent back to the continent in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers in Europe who have a British link.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of people crossing the English Channel in small boats has reached a record high of over 21,000 this year, surpassing the previous total of 20,000 last week.
  • The UK and France will hold talks on Thursday to discuss measures to cut the number of migrants crossing the English Channel, with President Macron promising to deliver on measures to address irregular migration.
  • The two leaders are working on a "one in, one out" deal, where small boat migrants would be sent back to the continent in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers in Europe who have a British link.
  • The UK has been pressing for tougher action from the French authorities to curb the crossings, with President Macron describing the issue as a "burden" to both countries.
  • The talks will also focus on co-operation on other major issues, including the deployment of a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.
  • The meeting will involve the co-hosting of a meeting of the "coalition of the willing", a peacekeeping mission proposed to be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.

Statistics:

  • Over 21,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats this year, surpassing the previous total of 20,000 last week.
  • The total number of people crossing the Channel in small boats has increased by 5% compared to the same period last year.
  • The "one in, one out" deal aims to send small boat migrants back to the continent in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers in Europe who have a British link.
  • The UK has been pressing for tougher action from the French authorities to curb the crossings, with a total of 21,000 migrant incidents reported in the past year.

Sources:

  • PA Wire
  • Suzanne Plunkett/PA
  • Chris Jackson/PA
  • Alistair Grant/PA
  • The Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster

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