Emmanuel Macron declared France's relationship with the UK a "game changer" as he met Sir Keir Starmer for crucial talks on the migrant crisis. The French president arrived at Downing Street on Wednesday for discussions ahead of a full UK-France summit on Thursday involving ministerial teams from both nations.
The Prime Minister welcomed Macron's visit as "hugely symbolic of the closeness between our countries and our personal relationship". Sir Keir emphasised the strength of cooperation across multiple areas, telling the French president: "Whether it's on defence and security, whether it's on Ukraine, whether it's on trade and economy, business opportunities, capabilities, we think alike, we work together."
Macron promises stronger partnership
Macron pledged that the UK and France would "build stronger links and make big moves forward on defence, security, technology, economy" as well as increased cooperation on culture, education and climate change. The French president described the partnership as "absolutely, I would say, a game changer for not just Europe, but a lot of these issues".
The talks come as the UK presses for tougher French action on Channel beaches, whilst Macron has suggested efforts are needed to reduce "pull factors" attracting migrants. Sir Keir hopes to strike a "one in, one out" deal to send small boat migrants back to the continent in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers in Europe who have British links.
Spouses join diplomatic activities
Alongside the Downing Street talks, Sir Keir and Macron are also expected to attend a reception with UK and French businesses and an event at the British Museum. Their spouses, Brigitte Macron and Lady Victoria Starmer, were having tea and a tour of Downing Street together.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey challenged Sir Keir to stop funding France unless they agreed to "a returns deal and doing their bit to stop the boats". The Prime Minister responded that the Government would "only provide funding that delivers for our priorities".
Parliamentary pressure mounts
Sir Keir told MPs the Government was working closely with France, sharing information "to a much greater extent than was the case before". He highlighted new measures including "a new specialist intelligence unit at Dunkirk" and being "the first government to persuade the French to review their laws and tactics on the north coast".
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage demanded Sir Keir tell the French president: "We will not accept undocumented males across the English Channel." Farage accused Macron of being "an increasingly arrogant, anti-Brexit French president".
French commitment on migration
In a speech to MPs and peers on Tuesday, Macron promised to deliver measures cutting Channel crossings, describing the issue as a "burden" to both countries. He stressed that France and the UK have a "shared responsibility to address irregular migration with humanity, solidarity and fairness".
However, the French president emphasised that both nations would "only arrive at the lasting and effective solution" by addressing "pull factors" encouraging Channel crossings. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds insisted the UK was already tackling these factors through crackdowns on illegal working, with over 7,000 arrests made.
Record crossing numbers
The French denied a Telegraph report claiming Macron blames the UK for the crisis. A senior Elysee source said: "The French president looks forward to working with the Prime Minister constructively on this shared priority."
The number of people crossing the English Channel so far in 2025 now stands at more than 21,000, a record for this point in a year. Thomas-Symonds told Times Radio that work with Paris was already "bearing fruit" but declined to give a "running commentary" on ongoing negotiations.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
