Migrants cast shadow on Macron-Starmer summit

BRITAIN and France are friends again following the rancour of Brexit, but the record number of irregular migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats remains a major point of friction.

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The issue will feature during a state visit to Britain by French President Emmanuel Macron starting tomorrow and new measures to curb the dangerous journeys are expected to be announced on Thursday following talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

More than 21 000 migrants have crossed from northern France to southeast England in rudimentary vessels this year, providing a massive headache for Starmer as the far-right soars in popularity.

Images of overloaded vessels leaving French beaches with law enforcement officers appearing to just watch on exasperate UK politicians and the unforgiving tabloid press.

"We pay for French cops' buggy, 4x4s and drones, but migrants still sailing," complained The Sun newspaper last week, in a reference to the so-called Sandhurst Treaty.

The 2018 agreement, that runs until 2027, sees Britain finance actions taken in France to stop the migrants.

Starmer, who led his Labour party to a sweeping victory in an election last year following 14 years of Conservative rule, has vowed to "take back control" of Britain's borders.

But in the first six months of 2025, there was a 48% increase in the number of people arriving on small boats compared to last year, with the government blaming extended dry weather.