LONDON: Britain’s Labour government said Tuesday it wants “long-term value for money” as it seeks to renew a migration deal with France that is set to expire next week.
In March 2023, London agreed to pay Paris £476 million (around $570 million) over three years to crack down on migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. The then-Conservative government said the money would fund a new detention centre in France and hundreds of extra law enforcement officers on French shores.
Discussions to renew the deal “continue”, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said Tuesday, refusing to put a timeline on when they might conclude.
“We’re building flexibility and innovation into any new deal with the French to ensure there’s long-term value for money and a real impact on small boat crossings,” he told reporters.
