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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rajeev Syal, Kim Willsher and Diane Taylor

Small boats deal between France and UK is on verge of collapse

France United Kingdom Shabana Mahmood
Two policemen stand on the sand as the sun rises over the sea. They carry guns.
Police watch for dinghies at dawn on the sands at Sangatte. At present, the UK pays nearly two-thirds of the annual cost of police patrols on northern France’s beaches. Photograph: Ed Ram/The Guardian

The UK’s agreement with France to pay for beach patrols is on the verge of collapse amid wrangling over the number of small boat interceptions and the safety of asylum seekers in French waters.

Negotiations over plans to revamp the three-year, £480m deal remain deadlocked, despite the involvement of ministers including Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary. The deal expires at midnight on Tuesday.

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