UK reaches agreement with EU’s border agency to halt small boat crossings in the Channel
The issue has been one of Rishi Sunak’s top priorities since becoming prime minister
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The UK is set to sign a new arrangement with the EU’s border agency as part of its efforts to stop small boats crossing the Channel.
The deal agreed with the EU’s Frontex agency will see the UK Border Force cooperate more closely with its European counterparts, exchanging intelligence and collaborating on training, new technology and operations.
Home Secretary James Cleverly will welcome European home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson to London on Friday to witness the signing of the arrangement by officials from Frontex and Border Force.
Mr Cleverly said: “This government has a plan to break the model of the smuggling gangs, end the abuse of our asylum system and stop the boars. The plan is working with crossings down by a third – but we must go further.
“Organised immigration crime and people-smuggling are global challenges that require shared solutions and ambitions. Our landmark working arrangement between the UK and Frontex is another crucial step in tackling illegal migration, securing our borders and stopping the boats.”
The deal is the latest in a series of arrangements between the UK and Europe, including an agreement reached with France last year to increase cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the two countries.
It also follows discussions between the Prime Minister and Ursula Von der Leyen, the European Commission president, who agreed in May last year to strengthen cooperation on tackling small boats.
Rishi Sunak had a phone call with Ms Von der Leyen on Sunday and the pair welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations that led to the agreement formalised on Friday.
Mr Sunak made “stopping the boats” one of his five priorities for 2023. The number of people crossing the Channel in small boats last year fell from 45,755 to 29,437.
So far, 1,716 people have made the crossing this year, down from 2,720 in the same period last year.