French presidential hopeful Édouard Philippe has sharply criticized the United Kingdom's immigration policies, stating they are directly responsible for the ongoing crisis involving migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. Philippe, a former prime minister under President Emmanuel Macron, described the situation as "absurd" and "shocking," suggesting that France's efforts to stop migrants are undermined by Britain's policies.
Philippe indicated that if elected president, he would seek to renegotiate or even terminate the Touquet treaty, an agreement that allows British and French police to conduct border checks in each other's countries. He argued that the funding provided by the UK to France for policing migrant crossings is insufficient relative to the costs incurred by France. Furthermore, he contends that the UK's domestic immigration rules entice migrants to make the dangerous journey.
"It is unacceptable that the funding offered by the UK is insufficient relative to the expenses incurred by France, and it is unacceptable … that the UK maintains rules on its territory that invite migrants to cross the Channel," Philippe stated, according to The Times. He highlighted that Britain grants residency or asylum to a significant proportion of small-boat migrants, and even those ordered to leave can often remain in the UK, placing a burden on France.
Philippe urged the European Union to adopt a similar stance to Britain, suggesting that the UK's approach to immigration is causing chaos in neighboring countries like Belgium and the Netherlands. His remarks come as recent figures show a surge in small boat crossings, with over 10,000 migrants arriving in the UK since the beginning of the year, a number that has fluctuated under different UK governments.
In response to the ongoing issues, the UK government signed a three-year deal in April, providing France with £662 million to support policing operations aimed at preventing small boat departures from its northern beaches. This funding covers approximately half the cost of France's interception efforts, with the French government contributing the remainder.
The debate over immigration policy also involves internal political divisions within the UK. Recent proposals to extend the waiting period for settled status for low-skilled foreign migrants were reportedly watered down following opposition within the Labour Party. Conservative figures have criticized the government's approach, advocating for stricter measures such as deporting illegal immigrants and potentially leaving the European Convention on Human Rights to address the Channel crisis.