JUST SAY NON! DON'T REWARD FRENCH FOR BOATS FAILURE

FRANCE must get no more UK taxpayers' cash until it stops the boats, ministers have been told.

- MICHAEL KNOWLES

Over 600 migrants crossed the Channel yesterday, it was feared, as research showed that the number of asylum seekers intercepted on their way to Britain has fallen.

Just 22,476 attempts were stopped last year, down from 33,000 in 2022, despite taxpayers forking out over £700million since 2018 to crack down on those attempting to reach the UK illegally.

The £175million paid to France last year is equal to £7,786 for each migrant stopped.

Reform UK's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf said: "The French are laughing at us."

Border Force was overwhelmed yesterday as smugglers exploited the warmest day of the year so far to put hundreds of people in dinghies destined for the Kent coast.

Migrants were brought into Ramsgate throughout the day after bad weather had prevented crossings for two weeks.

The French rescue ship Abeille Normandie even escorted one migrant vessel four miles into British waters because Border Force Volunteer and Border Force Typhoon were already tied up with arrivals.

It waited until the British ships were able to come and pick up the migrants on board.

Another 4,500 migrants are currently waiting in makeshift camps in Calais and Dunkirk, as shocking analysis reveals two-thirds of crossings are successful.

Robert Bates, of the Centre for Migration Control, said: "France has been allowed to fleece this country receiving huge sums of money while doing next to nothing to stop the boats.

Overcrowding

"The deal has been a complete disaster for Britain and has made us the laughing stock of Europe. The PM should not give them another penny until we see actual results."