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The British and French governments are currently engaged in preliminary discussions regarding a returns agreement that would facilitate the exchange of individuals seeking asylum between the two nations.
As part of these talks, officials are considering a pilot initiative wherein a limited number of individuals who arrive in the UK irregularly via the Channel would be returned to France. In exchange, the UK would accept a designated number of individuals from France who possess a legitimate right to reside in Britain, particularly those seeking family reunification.
According to insiders from the Home Office, the discussions, which were first highlighted in the Financial Times, have been described as constructive.
Under increasing pressure to address the rise in small boat crossings this year when compared to the last, Keir Starmer’s government is keen to find a solution. The mounting political challenge posed by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which has been vocal in critiquing Labour’s immigration strategies, has captured the attention of political planners in Downing Street.
A representative from the Home Office remarked that the government is “intensifying” its collaborative efforts with France, alongside other European nations, to tackle the issue effectively.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood acknowledged ongoing discussions with the French government but refrained from detailing the potential framework of a future agreement. She emphasized the complexity of the situation, stating, “This is not a short-term issue. This is going to take really hard work to tackle those organised gangs that are preying on people, putting their lives in danger as they try to cross the Channel to the UK. Of course, that’s going to involve conversations with our counterparts on the European continent.”
When further questioned regarding the returns arrangement, Greenwood confirmed that dialogues with French officials are addressing the pressing need to combat the perilous trade in human trafficking across the English Channel.
Prior to assuming office, Starmer expressed a commitment to negotiate a returns agreement with the EU; however, concrete progress on this front has yet to be realized.
With an aim to reassure voters of a coherent plan addressing irregular migration and actively dismantling the criminal networks associated with small boat crossings, Starmer is navigating the political landscape with caution, particularly in response to the challenges posed by populist opposition.
Small boat arrivals in the Channel have reached unprecedented levels, with nearly 8,200 individuals completing the journey to the UK since the beginning of the year, marking a 30% increase compared to the same timeframe last year.
Before Brexit, the UK participated in the EU’s Dublin regulation, which stipulated that asylum seekers should be processed in the first EU member state they enter. Yet, many nations, like Italy, do not strictly enforce these rules.
Existing cooperation between the UK and France is framed by the Le Touquet agreement, which stipulates enhanced border control measures. Under this agreement, the UK has committed to provide financial support to France from 2023 to 2026 to bolster policing efforts in monitoring the Channel.
Attempts by former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman in 2022 to establish a returns agreement with France did not succeed.
A Home Office representative reiterated, “The prime minister and home secretary have been clear that the UK and France must work closely together to prevent dangerous small boat crossings, particularly through essential law enforcement collaboration. We have secured the French agreement to deploy a new elite unit of officers at the coast, establish a specialist intelligence unit, increase police presence, and introduce new authorities for French officials to intervene in shallow waters.”
“We are deepening our collaboration with France and other European countries facing similar challenges by pursuing innovative solutions aimed at dismantling the operational frameworks of criminal smuggling organizations.”
Source
www.theguardian.com