752 migrants reach UK in biggest day of Channel crossings this year – as Reform demand all payments to France are frozen

THE biggest day for Channel crossings this year has sparked demands for Britain to freeze further payments to France to stop the boats. The calls came after The Sun watched French gendarmes stand by as migrants boarded dinghies and set off for Britain. Migrants on board a small boat off the coast of Hardelot, France, during an attempt to cross the English Channel Credit: PA Reform’s Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick Credit: Alamy Home Office figures later confirmed 752 migrants had reached the UK in nine boats on Wednesday – the highest daily total so far this year. Four migrants also died trying to cross the Channel. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Three people were found dead aboard a boat off Dunkirk on Thursday, while a fourth is believed to have drowned in a separate incident near Boulogne-sur-Mer. The deaths came just days after Prime Minister Andy Burnham insisted the Government’s plan to tackle the crossings was “working”, while admitting there was “more to do”. Reform today said ministers should stop sending France more cash until it starts preventing crossings. The party’s Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick branded the funding arrangement “a complete and utter waste of money“. He added: “We can see that it’s achieving absolutely nothing. I’ve seen it with my own eyes when I’m in France. “The French authorities are literally waving these individuals onto the boats. Enough is enough. Most read in The Sun “We should not be sending any more money to France. And in fact, Reform has already said that it wouldn’t just end this arrangement, but it would seek a rebate from the French for it, because we’re quite clearly being taken for fools.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed a £662million agreement with France running until 2029 back in May. The package came on top of the £480million deal agreed in 2023, taking Britain’s total commitment to tackling Channel crossings with France to more than £1billion over six years. Around £160million of the latest deal will only be paid if crossings fall, while the remainder will fund extra patrols, drones, helicopters, intelligence operations and almost 1,100 police, intelligence and military officers along the northern French coast. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also urged ministers to halt further payments unless France starts stopping the boats. He said: “The French are taking us for fools. Shabana Mahmood has handed over £660 million of our money, £500 million of which is completely unconditional. “Yet a French Gendarme on the beach admitted to me yesterday that he had orders not to intervene to stop the migrants. “Ten of France’s most elite officers just stood there while the migrants crossed the beach and then boarded in knee deep water. “The Belgians successfully and safely intervene to stop crossings in exactly the same circumstances. The French should too – and if they refuse the Andy Burnham should stop paying any more money. This will be an early test of his leadership.” A Home Office spokesperson said: “This Government is bearing down on small boat crossings, with removals of small boat migrants at record levels and asylum claims down by 12%. “The Home Secretary has signed a landmark new payments by results deal with France to boost enforcement action on beaches and put people smugglers behind bars. This builds on joint work that has stopped over 46,000 attempted crossings since the election. “We have removed or deported almost 70,000 people who were here illegally – an increase of 41% – and are going further to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to this country.” Comment now