The UK will pay France £8m more a year under a revised deal to try to stop people crossing the English Channel in small boats.

The money will pay for increased surveillance of French beaches, while UK police officers will also be able to observe patrols within France.

It is thought French officers patrolling the coast will rise from about 250 to 350 over five months.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-63615653

We have been down this road before, several times. We pay the French to do what they should be doing anyway, they take the money, shrug their shoulders and do nothing.

It’s a step in the right direction for the UK PM to realize the UK will not solve this problem without international cooperation.

 

But it’s still only addressing the symptoms not the causes.

 

Which is why Sunak’s is so reticent when asked if this scheme will effectively reduce migration across the channel.

3 hours ago, herfiehandbag said:

We have been down this road before, several times. We pay the French to do what they should be doing anyway, they take the money, shrug their shoulders and do nothing.

Of course, the UK would deploy the full force of the Border Control Agency to patrol the length and breadth of the UK coastline if the roles were reversed.

 

However, I do agree that we have been down this road before. Imo it's no more than a symbolic, sticking plaster exercise: 100 more officers isn't going to make much difference.

 

Someone needs to come up with a program whereby some of these young men get the option of serving in the Ukrainian war for a chance at resettlement.  

2 hours ago, Credo said:

Someone needs to come up with a program whereby some of these young men get the option of serving in the Ukrainian war for a chance at resettlement.  

Like the French Foreign legion.

Any deals with France that does not include the repatriation of ALL arrivals is a complete waste of time. Either that or a deal we only take 1 woman and 1 man and not 40,000 men to 5 women would be a good start

 

 

6 hours ago, candide said:

Like the French Foreign legion.

Of the 9,000 men in the French Foreign Legion, about 700 are Ukrainians. (https://foreignlegion.info dated March 7, 2022)

So yes.

Not sure how this works. Surely, it's not illegal to leave France? So they see some dusky guys with a small boat and shout that they must not leave France and the guys reply, not to worry, we are just popping across the channel? What French law are they breaking?

Seems they could turn off the tap by making life in Syria better. If there was no reason to leave, that would ease the problem. The UK and USA, among many others, have been helping to provide military support but won't do much to develop the country. 

On 11/15/2022 at 7:49 AM, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a step in the right direction for the UK PM to realize the UK will not solve this problem without international cooperation.

 

But it’s still only addressing the symptoms not the causes.

 

Which is why Sunak’s is so reticent when asked if this scheme will effectively reduce migration across the channel.

Yes. And for everyone that gets across to the UK then a lump sum reduction of the 'fee' should be taken!!

They would end up owing us money then!!!????????????????????????????????

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

Not sure how this works. Surely, it's not illegal to leave France? So they see some dusky guys with a small boat and shout that they must not leave France and the guys reply, not to worry, we are just popping across the channel? What French law are they breaking?

Seems they could turn off the tap by making life in Syria better. If there was no reason to leave, that would ease the problem. The UK and USA, among many others, have been helping to provide military support but won't do much to develop the country. 

" Surely, it's not illegal to leave France?"

 

Just off the top of my head

 

1)as the boats are taking paying customers - captain does not hold valid commercial skippers license.

2)vessel does not comply with EU and UK safety regulations in terms of boat being overloaded, ill equipped with nav equipment, vessel not licensed for commercial passenger operations.

3)considering the above - it is likely the boats are not insured at all.

 

So clearly very illegal. I also do not think most passengers are from Syria. They are often from North African countries and Pakistan/Bangladesh. The % of Syrians is not high.

1 minute ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

" Surely, it's not illegal to leave France?"

 

Just off the top of my head

 

1)as the boats are taking paying customers - captain does not hold valid commercial skippers license.

2)vessel does not comply with EU and UK safety regulations in terms of boat being overloaded, ill equipped with nav equipment, vessel not licensed for commercial passenger operations.

3)considering the above - it is likely the boats are not insured at all.

 

So clearly very illegal. I also do not think most passengers are from Syria. They are often from North African countries and Pakistan/Bangladesh. The % of Syrians is not high.

So the boat is illegal.

 

How does that make leaving France illegal?

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-53734793

 

On 11/15/2022 at 7:28 AM, Scott said:

The UK will pay France £8m more a year under a revised deal to try to stop people crossing the English Channel in small boats.

Idiots.

On 11/15/2022 at 7:41 AM, herfiehandbag said:

We have been down this road before, several times. We pay the French to do what they should be doing anyway, they take the money, shrug their shoulders and do nothing.

nothing will change the French don't care ..lazy.. arrogant police ..I know ...just take the cash and laugh  

2 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

" Surely, it's not illegal to leave France?"

 

Just off the top of my head

 

1)as the boats are taking paying customers - captain does not hold valid commercial skippers license.

2)vessel does not comply with EU and UK safety regulations in terms of boat being overloaded, ill equipped with nav equipment, vessel not licensed for commercial passenger operations.

3)considering the above - it is likely the boats are not insured at all.

 

So clearly very illegal. I also do not think most passengers are from Syria. They are often from North African countries and Pakistan/Bangladesh. The % of Syrians is not high.

It's not illegal to leave and It's not illegal to make a boat trip with friends along the coast (half joking)

 

The most obvious reason to stop them is safety, if the boat is overloaded etc....

 

The core issue is that there are thousands of attempts, so It's impossible to stop them all.

5 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

the boats are taking paying customers

Not so sure anyone could prove that. Who will admit to paying? 

10 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

" Surely, it's not illegal to leave France?"

 

Are they even IN France legally ? 

Something the French never seem to address. 

There must be 100s of illegal immigrants squatting near the Channel coast, who seem to be invisible to  French immigration  officials. 

Many French people must be rather surprised that people actually pay good money to escape their wonderful country.

 

" C'est incroyable "