Stephen J. By Bose, Worth News Europe Bureau Chief
Paris/Budapest (meaningful news) – Britain and France signed a new three-year deal on Thursday aimed at curbing migrants attempting the often deadly Channel crossing, as Europe faces a record influx of people fleeing war, persecution and poverty.
Under the agreement, France promised to increase coastal law enforcement by more than half, to 1,400 officers by 2029.
Britain will provide up to 766 million euros ($897 million) of funding, although about a quarter – 186 million euros – will depend on the effectiveness of the measures.
The agreement comes after months of disputes over renewing the Sandhurst Treaty, which regulates Britain’s financial support for French efforts to stop the crossing.
London had accused Paris of doing too little, insisting on strict conditions before extending the deal first signed in 2018 and renewed in 2023.
results linked funding
Under the updated terms, Britain will have more flexibility in how the funds are used, with a focus on measures deemed effective in curbing crossings.
“We will now have the flexibility to fund things that we know are working,” Britain’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said after the signing of the deal in northern France.
A document from the French Interior Ministry said that if the measures “fail to produce adequate results based on a joint annual assessment, funding will be redirected to new actions.”
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the agreement was important to “combat” and “eradicate” illegal migration networks.
Even without the conditional share, the UK’s main contribution of 580 million euros represents an increase of 40 million euros compared to the previous treaty.
Record migration level
The agreement comes as migration across Europe has reached historic levels, increasing political and social pressure.
A report by the Center for Research and Analysis on Migration found that the number of immigrants to the EU is projected to rise from about 40 million in 2010 to a record 64.2 million in 2025.
Germany remains the largest host, with nearly 18 million foreign-born residents, while Spain has recently recorded the fastest growth.
“Germany remains the main destination for migrants in Europe,” researcher Tommaso Frattini said.
Spain, Italy, France and Germany together account for about three-quarters of asylum applications, with Germany hosting approximately 2.7 million refugees.
stress and risk
Britain and France remain major destinations for migrants, many of whom are from predominantly Muslim countries, leading to increased political and social tensions in both countries.
Aid organization Doctors Without Borders criticized the results-based funding scheme, arguing that it would not prevent people from seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
Instead, she warned, the policy could “push men, women and children into the hands of smugglers and smugglers” and force them into increasingly dangerous, sometimes deadly crossings.
At least 29 migrants died trying to cross the Channel last year, according to official figures.
British data shows that 41,472 people arrived in the United Kingdom in small boats in 2025, the second highest figure since crossings increased in 2018.
enforcement and pressure
French authorities plan to expand surveillance with drones, helicopters and digital surveillance equipment to prevent departures.
However, under international maritime law, authorities can generally only intervene when boats are at sea to rescue people in danger.
France says arrivals to Britain have halved so far this year compared to the same period in 2025.
Authorities also reported the arrest of about 480 smugglers last year.
The agreement comes at a politically sensitive time for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who faces growing pressure to curb illegal migration ahead of local elections.
Starmer said the new agreement would “enhance intelligence, surveillance and on-the-ground deployments to secure Britain’s borders,” adding that the cooperation has already stopped thousands of crossings.
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