The Government has signed a new deal with France in a bid to stop people crossing the English Channel in small boats. It will see a boost to beach patrols and British staff based in French control rooms for the first time. The move comes as pressure mounts on the British immigration system, with Channel crossings topping 40,000 so far this year.
The countries have signed off on an agreement on Monday aimed at preventing people making the perilous journey to the UK. Reports have suggested it will involve an increase in annual payments from Britain to France of several million pounds to a figure between £60 million and £70 million.
The UK has negotiated a 40% boost in the number of officers patrolling beaches in northern France in a historic deal to tackle the migrant crisis.
