UK-France relationship ‘key' to migration, No 10 says ahead of Macron meeting
As well as small boats crossing the English Channel, defence, security and economic growth are among the top issues on the agenda for the meeting, No 10 indicated.
Joint work with the French to tackle migration is 'stronger than it has ever been', Downing Street said, while suggesting further efforts to prevent small boats crossings will be on the agenda for the Franco-British summit.
Photo dated 17/06/25 A child's shoe is left on the beach in Gravelines, France, after being dropped as people thought to be migrants continue to scramble for small boats in a bid to reach the UK (Gareth Fuller/PA)
A No 10 spokesman added: 'We very much look forward to welcoming President Macron for a historic state visit this week.
'That relationship is key to a number of issues, and we expect to make good progress on a wide range of priorities, including migration, growth, defence and security, which will deliver on the interests of both the British and the French public.'
Mr Macron's visit comes after the tally for small boats crossings pushed past 20,000 this year, the earliest point this has happened in a calendar year since data started being recorded in 2018.
The total for 2025 currently sits at 21,117, according to PA news agency analysis of Home Office data.
Downing Street declined to say whether the French police's use of a knife to puncture an inflatable boat last week was a sign of new tactics being employed.
The Sun On Sunday has meanwhile reported that French police have been laying nets in the water that could jam boat propellers, in an attempt to reduce the number of crossings.
But the No 10 spokesman appeared to suggest a new approach had been discussed but not yet rolled out.
He said: 'We are the first Government to have secured agreement from the French to review their maritime tactics so their border enforcement teams can intervene in shallow waters.
'This is operationally and legally complex, but we're working closely with the French. We expect this to be operationalised soon.'
Ahead of the visit, Sir Keir and Mr Macron spoke over the phone on Saturday, where they said they wanted to make 'good progress' on a series of joint issues, including migration.
Sir Keir and the French President also plan to co-host a meeting of the coalition of the willing, the peacekeeping mission aimed at enforcing a future truce in Ukraine.
Downing Street insisted that the UK's 'support for Ukraine remains steadfast' when asked for an update on how planning for the mission is proceeding.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
King tells of ‘profound sadness' in letter to Trump after Texas floods
Charles 'offered his deepest sympathy' to those who lost loved ones over the July Fourth weekend, the British Embassy in Washington said. 'Following the devastating flooding in Texas, His Majesty King Charles has written to President Trump to express his profound sadness at the tragic loss of life,' the embassy said. Following the devastating flooding in Texas, His Majesty King Charles has written to President Trump to express his profound sadness at the tragic loss of life. He offered his deepest sympathy to all families who have lost loved ones and paid tribute to courage and selflessness… — British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) July 7, 2025 'He offered his deepest sympathy to all families who have lost loved ones and paid tribute to courage and selflessness of the emergency service and volunteers.' Operators of Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, said they lost 27 campers and counsellors, confirming their worst fears after a wall of water slammed into cabins built along the edge of the Guadalupe River. With additional rain on the way, more flooding remains a threat in saturated parts of the US state. Authorities said the death toll was sure to rise as crews looked for many people who were missing.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Elon Musk blasts FBI after axing Epstein probe — raging ‘It's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again'
DONALD Trump's ex-pal Elon Musk lashed out yesterday after a leaked memo said the FBI was ready to end its Jeffrey Epstein probe — with the Tesla tycoon declaring: 'It's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again.' The document showed federal investigators and the US Justice Department found no evidence the paedophile financier had a client list or blackmailed powerful figures. 6 Elon Musk made his claims about Donald Trump being in the Epstein files when they fell out after the Tesla boss left government Credit: Getty 6 Talking about the FBI preparing to axe its Epstein probe, Musk blasted 'It's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again' Credit: AP 6 Mr Trump had said he was 'not a fan of Epstein' and had not spoken to him in years Credit: AP And CCTV footage taken outside his cell — finally released six years after his death — proved he was not murdered, officials claimed. Many within the US President's Make America Great Again movement — including FBI chief Kash Patel and his deputy Dan Bongino — repeatedly called for all Epstein files to be publicly released and other abusers to be brought to justice. Critics accused the US government of a new cover-up, weeks after Musk claimed the President was 'in the Epstein files'. Billionaire Musk led the attacks yesterday, posting on X: 'What's the time? Oh look, it's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again...', above a meme of 'The Official Jeffrey Epstein paedophile arrest counter' — which was at zero. He added: 'Man, this is heavy', and referring to Epstein's British socialite madam, serving 20 years for sex trafficking, said: 'What is Ghislaine Maxwell in prison for? Stuff like this does not improve people's faith in government.' Maxwell was pictured with Prince Andrew and his sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre. One of the main claims by conspiracy theorists was that Epstein was murdered in 2019 to hush him up and protect senior figures. In the run-up to yesterday's revelations, US government officials suggested shocking revelations. When asked if Epstein's client list would be released, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in February: 'It's sitting on my desk right now to review.' She had also said the FBI was reviewing 'tens of thousands of videos' of Epstein 'with children or child porn'. I came face-to-face with Epstein - paedo would flip to dark side like a switch... I'm convinced he DIDN'T kill himself Trump supporter Alina Habba, the acting US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, had said: 'It is incredibly disturbing. We have flight logs, we have information, names that will come out. 'I don't see how it's not shocking there were so many individuals that were hidden and kept secret and not been held accountable.' Epstein watchers keenly anticipated a string of powerful people being outed as clients, with up to 1,000 FBI agents on the case. But there was anger when a two-page DoJ/FBI memo revealed investigators had found no evidence of a cover-up. 6 Prince Andrew with his sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre, centre, and Ghislaine Maxwell - who is currently in prison for her part in the Epstein scandal Credit: AFP 6 It's claimed new CCTV of Epstein in jail, circled, proves the convicted paedophile was not murdered in his cell It was published by US news website Axios and picked up by ABC News. The US government made no official comment. The memo said there was 'no incriminating 'client list'', 'no credible evidence Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals,' and 'no evidence could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties'. The memo said Epstein harmed 'over one thousand victims' and 'each suffered unique trauma'. It said 'sensitive information relating to these victims is intertwined throughout materials' it reviewed, but warned: 'Much of the material is subject to court-ordered sealing. 'Only a fraction would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial, as the seal served only to protect victims and did not expose any additional third-parties to allegations of wrongdoing.' Investigators checked the original film from cameras near Epstein's cell, as well as an enhanced version from 10.40pm the night before he died to around 6.30am, when he was found. No one else enters that area of the prison, officials said. The memo states: 'After a thorough investigation, FBI investigators concluded Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide in his cell.' Protest group Republicans Against Trump said: 'Hey Donald, if you've got nothing to hide, release all the Epstein files just like you promised. What are you afraid of?' Mr Musk made his claims about Trump being in the Epstein files when they fell out after the Tesla boss left government. The world's richest man later said he 'went too far' — but posted repeatedly about the case yesterday. The President earlier hit back at the claims saying: 'That's called 'old news.' Even Epstein's lawyer said I had nothing to do with it.' Trump and Epstein attended the same parties in the 1990s and in 2017 Epstein claimed he was 'Donald Trump's closest friend'. Trump had said he was 'not a fan of Epstein' and had not spoken to him in years.
Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Western Telegraph
King tells of ‘profound sadness' in letter to Trump after Texas floods
Charles 'offered his deepest sympathy' to those who lost loved ones over the July Fourth weekend, the British Embassy in Washington said. 'Following the devastating flooding in Texas, His Majesty King Charles has written to President Trump to express his profound sadness at the tragic loss of life,' the embassy said. Following the devastating flooding in Texas, His Majesty King Charles has written to President Trump to express his profound sadness at the tragic loss of life. He offered his deepest sympathy to all families who have lost loved ones and paid tribute to courage and selflessness… — British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) July 7, 2025 'He offered his deepest sympathy to all families who have lost loved ones and paid tribute to courage and selflessness of the emergency service and volunteers.' Operators of Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, said they lost 27 campers and counsellors, confirming their worst fears after a wall of water slammed into cabins built along the edge of the Guadalupe River. With additional rain on the way, more flooding remains a threat in saturated parts of the US state. Authorities said the death toll was sure to rise as crews looked for many people who were missing.
