British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will discuss efforts to stop so-called mega-dinghies carrying hundreds of migrants across the English Channel when he meets his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.
Macron will be the first EU leader hosted by Burnham since he became Labour Party leader in July. Their meeting comes as France prepares a new team of 45 officers to crack down on the larger vessels that people smugglers use to get irregular migrants from France to the UK.
That will almost triple resources allocated to prevent dangerous migrant crossings on France’s western beaches, according to the UK’s Home Office.
The increase in personnel follows a deal signed between the UK and France under Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer, which will see Britain pay France £661 million ($893 million) over three years to strengthen efforts to stop small boats crossings.
The Macron-Burnham meeting in Downing Street comes after they viewed the Bayeux Tapestry together in the British Museum on Wednesday evening, along with King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Burnham joked about the story told in the tapestry, which is on loan from France, and its likeness to his own political ascent as prime minister.
“A tapestry that shows a new leader emerging from a northern territory, travelling to the south of England in search of the crown,” Burnham said at the event. “Something clearly that couldn’t happen today.”
Small boats
Irregular immigration has become one of the most important topics for British voters, amid concerns about the amount of taxpayer funds being spent on their accommodation.
This summer saw the lowest number of so-called “small boat” arrivals since 2020, and while more than 14,000 people have made the journey so far this year, that’s down substantially on 2025. However, people smugglers are now turning to ever-larger boats.
“The progress we have seen this summer shows what can be achieved when the UK and France work together,” Burnham said in an emailed statement. “But I am clear that we cannot be complacent. Smuggling gangs are constantly adapting their tactics, and the UK and France need to respond quickly and stay one step ahead of the criminals facilitating the dangerous crossings.”
Burnham and Macron are also expected to address support for Ukraine over the winter, as well as efforts to reach a peace deal in the Middle East.
