Starmer and Macron tackle 'shared priority'

SMALL boats crossing the English Channel is a "shared priority that requires shared solutions", Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer agreed ahead of a summit between France and Britain.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

The Prime Minister and France's President insisted their two countries "need to go further" to stem the tide of boats making the journey, Downing Street said, after the leaders' held a head-to-head meeting at Number 10.

The UK has been pressing for tougher action from the French authorities on the beaches along the English Channel coast, while Mr Macron has suggested Britain needs to make efforts to reduce the "pull factors" attracting migrants.

The Prime Minister welcomed the French President to Downing Street yesterday ahead of a full UK-France summit today involving ministerial teams from both nations.

"The leaders agreed tackling the threat of irregular migration and small boat crossings is a shared priority that requires shared solutions," a Downing Street spokesperson said after the meeting.