UK extends £500m Channel deal with France as crossings continue to surge

31 March 2026 , 23:17

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UK extends £500m Channel deal with France as crossings continue to surge

Shabana Mahmood has agreed to extend the nearly £500 million agreement for another two months as she tries to negotiate a better deal with the French government over the Channel.

Shabana Mahmood has agreed to extend the agreement for another two months as she tries to negotiate a better deal with the French government over the Channel.

Approximately 700 French military, police, and officials are stationed in Northern France as part of the £475 million three-year agreement to combat crossings.

The Home Secretary is understood to be pushing for a significant increase in the numbers to further deter crossings.

Ministers emphasize that 42,000 have been stopped from making the dangerous journey across the Channel since the election.

However, Ms. Mahmood is trying to link the numbers stopped to the money Britain is prepared to give - which appears to be rejected by France.

Insiders insist that the Home Secretary is trying to "drive a hard bargain to deliver the best deal" and she wants "value for money".

The contract is due to expire this week, but No10 insisted yesterday that there would be no abrupt end and no drop in support from the French.

She is reported to have asked for specific targets to reduce the numbers further, but the French are resisting this.

The temporary deal will provide more time for negotiations to continue.

The so-called one in one out deal with the French came into effect at the end of last year, and as of March, it has seen 377 migrants sent to France and 380 admitted to the UK under the plans.

However, attempted crossings are still occurring - with around 41,500 in 2025, the second-highest annual total.

Approximately 4,000 have crossed to the UK so far this year, but the latest data shows none this week.

Elizabeth Baker

Technology & Business Editor