Committee publication · Correspondence · 16 June 2026
Letter from the Minister for Border Security & Asylum relating to the UK–France Border Security Partnership (2026–2029) and UK-France Treaty on the prevention of dangerous journeys 10.06.2026
From: Home Affairs Committee
Summary
The Minister for Border Security & Asylum updates the Home Affairs Committee on the new UK–France Border Security Partnership (£662 million over 2026–2029) and extension of the UK-France Returns Treaty beyond 11 June 2026. The partnership funds French law enforcement and maritime interventions to disrupt smuggling networks; the amended Treaty now covers individuals who re-enter the UK via routes other than small boats after prior removal.
Key findings
- £662 million multi-year Border Security Partnership agreed with France on 23 April 2026: £500 million for northern French control systems, £161 million for impact-based new actions with annual evaluation and defunding if results are insufficient.
- UK-France Returns Treaty extended beyond 11 June 2026 deadline until Autumn; over 900 migrants removed under pilot scheme to date with similar numbers arriving via new safe and legal route.
- Treaty amended to include returns of individuals who previously departed France under the Treaty but re-entered UK via non-small-boat routes; amendment anticipated under original Article 20 and requires no additional implementation measures.
- Partnership aims to strengthen law enforcement presence, scale maritime interventions, increase intelligence sharing, and prevent boat launches; structured around joint annual evaluation of effectiveness in reducing illegal immigration flows.
- Extension and amendment agreed via mutual written consent through exchange of letters, published as Command Paper in Treaty Series; not required to be laid under CRaG (Constitutional Reform and Governance Act).
Tone
ProceduralTopics
border-securityasylum-migrationuk-france-relationsinternational-agreements
Key actors
Alex Norris MP, Dame Karen Bradley, Laurent Nuñez, Home Secretary, French Interior Minister
Notable line
“Every pound spent will target impact, maximising the effectiveness of UK investment to tackle small boat crossings.”
Key Quotes
“This deal significantly boosts law enforcement boots on the ground, scales up French maritime interventions and increases intelligence sharing to target smuggling networks at every stage of the route.”
“Every pound spent will target impact, maximising the effectiveness of UK investment to tackle small boat crossings.”
“To date, over 900 migrants have been removed under the pilot scheme, with a similar number arriving in the UK via the new, safe and legal route.”
“The UK and France have therefore agreed to amend the Treaty to ensure these cases are clearly included within scope.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗