Andy Burnham stated that Anglo-French efforts to stop migrant boats from crossing the Channel are 'clearly working' during talks with Emmanuel Macron in London. The Prime Minister noted that progress is being made in reducing both the number of people making the journey and the overall crossings. The total number of crossings over the summer months has decreased to its lowest level since 2019, although smugglers are reportedly using larger vessels to transport more migrants.
The leaders announced the formation of a new 'surge team' of French police, funded by the UK, aimed at addressing the increased use of 'mega-dinghies' that can carry up to 230 migrants. However, government sources indicated that this initiative would involve only 45 additional officers, leading to criticism from Conservative members who described the plans as insufficient and attributed the reduction in crossings to adverse weather conditions.
Burnham also advocated for a Brexit 'reset' during the meeting, suggesting a closer alignment of the UK with EU rules and regulations. He expressed that the UK's prolonged period of low growth has been partly due to Brexit, and he aims to build on the work of his predecessor in fostering a closer relationship with the EU ahead of a UK-EU summit later this year.
The meeting included a social element, with Burnham and Macron viewing the Bayeux Tapestry together, which Burnham described as a symbol of the common bonds between the UK and France. A spokesperson from No10 emphasized the importance of scaling up successful cooperation across Europe to deter illegal migration and protect shared interests.