French President Emmanuel Macron has called for increased funding from the UK to tackle Channel crossings. The UK and France are currently in discussions about a long-term

multi-million-pound deal that would boost French beach patrols, surveillance, and officers to disrupt trafficking gangs. The discussions come ahead of an Anglo-French summit in Paris, which is focused on Channel migrants. The summit will be attended by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Macron.

This is the first bilateral summit between the two countries in five years, and both sides are looking to improve relations after disagreements about Channel migrants, post-Brexit trade agreements, and the Aukus submarine deal with Australia.

Sources from the Elysee Palace indicate that both sides are trying to establish a "multi-annual financing framework" that would ensure cooperation is put on a stable footing, allowing for better planning of actions. President Macron has called for a hike in funding from the UK to stop Channel crossings.

The summit comes amidst fears that over 80,000 migrants could cross the Channel this year. The UK Prime Minister wants a "substantial" increase in beach patrols to prevent further crossings, given that 3,000 people have already reached the UK this year, following a record 45,000 last year.

Last November, the UK agreed to pay £63 million towards a 40% increase in French officers, drones, buggies, and surveillance equipment to help tackle the problem of Channel crossings. Both sides agree that preventing 80-90% of migrants from leaving the beaches would break the economic model of people smugglers, making crossings unviable.

However, the summit may be overshadowed by Brussels' recent comments that the UK's new immigration bill, designed to tackle small boats, breaks international law. Ylva Johansson, the European Union's top home affairs official, recently told the Politico website that she believes the UK is poised to breach its international obligations. If President Macron echoes these sentiments, it could cast a shadow over the summit.

In conclusion, the UK and France are in discussions about a long-term deal that would provide additional funding to tackle the problem of Channel crossings. The upcoming summit in Paris will focus on this issue, and both sides are looking to establish a stable financing framework that will enable them to better plan their actions. The UK Prime Minister wants a significant increase in beach patrols to prevent further crossings, but concerns about Brussels' recent comments on the UK's immigration bill may overshadow the summit. Photo by Jacques Paquier, Wikimedia commons.