Politics World Europe

UK and France Sign Small Boats Deal

UK and France Sign Small Boats Deal

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed the pact in Dunkirk, describing it as 'good value for money' for British taxpayers.

The agreement aims to break the business model of people-smuggling gangs by increasing beach patrols and deploying new surveillance technology.

However, charities have warned that the deterrence policies may not work, as many migrants face even greater risks in their home countries.

The deal also includes a controversial provision that could see UK funds handed over to France even if the number of small boat arrivals fails to decrease.

Shabana Mahmood Richard Townshend, CC BY 3.0
Shabana Mahmood
British politician (born 1980)
United Kingdom
Island country in north-west Europe
France
Country in Western Europe and other continents (through its overseas territories in America, Africa and Oceania)
Dunkirk
2017 film by Christopher Nolan
English Channel
Arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France