UK Border Chief Criticizes France Over Migrant Crossings, Citing Political Instability

UK Border Chief Raises Concerns Over French Efforts

Martin Hewitt, the head of the UK's Border Security Command, has voiced significant frustration regarding France's perceived inability to effectively curb the increasing number of small boat migrant crossings across the English Channel. Hewitt reportedly told Members of Parliament that 'political instability in France' is a contributing factor to the challenges in implementing more interventionist tactics to stop these crossings.

Context of Crossings and Bilateral Relations

The issue of small boat crossings has been a persistent point of tension between the UK and France. Despite substantial financial contributions from the UK, including €541 million for the 2023-2026 period, concerns about the effectiveness of French efforts remain. A French report from January 2024 by the Court of Accounts, an independent auditing body, previously criticized the UK for insufficient coordination and for not providing 'usable information' on boat departures, describing the intelligence exchange as 'unbalanced'. The UK Home Office, however, dismissed this report as 'out-of-date'.

Recent data indicates a fluctuating but persistent challenge:

• Crossings increased by 58% between 2021 and 2022, with over 45,000 migrants arrested on British shores in 2022.
• The number of crossings fell by over a third in 2023, to just under 26,000.
• However, 2025 has seen crossings pass 25,000 faster than any previous year, with arrivals up 55% from the same period last year as of July 2025.

French Political Landscape and Policy Impact

The political landscape in France has indeed been marked by instability. In September 2025, French Prime Minister François Bayrou faced a confidence vote over austerity measures, a situation that could jeopardize newly authorized migrant interception policies. Earlier in 2025, the French parliament approved a reinterpretation of maritime law to allow law enforcement to turn back migrant boats within 300 meters of the shoreline, a measure championed as a crucial tool. However, the implementation of such policies requires legislative stability and budgetary certainty, which are currently under threat due to the political climate.

France's new government, formed after snap legislative elections in June 2024 and led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier, has pledged a hardline stance on migration, aiming to significantly reduce illegal entries. French authorities have also been observed employing more direct tactics, such as puncturing boats, and have prevented tens of thousands of crossing attempts, with 33,600 prevented since May 2024 alone.

New UK-France Agreements and Future Outlook

In an effort to enhance cooperation, a new UK-France treaty came into force in August 2025. This agreement allows for the detention and return of small boat arrivals to France, coupled with a 'one-in, one-out' scheme for legal migration routes. The first group removals under this landmark treaty commenced in October 2025, with 26 individuals returned to France within weeks of the agreement. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that these removals send a clear message: 'if you come here illegally, you face being detained and removed'.

Despite these agreements and efforts, the ongoing political challenges in France and the persistent flow of migrants underscore the complex nature of managing Channel crossings, maintaining continuous pressure on both nations to find sustainable solutions.