Keir Starmer Urged to Halt EU Fishing Deal Until France Stops Channel Migrant Crossings

Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure to suspend the UK’s fishing agreement with the European Union until France takes stronger action to stop illegal migrant crossings across the English Channel.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp is set to confront the Labour government in the Commons later today, amid growing outrage over what Brexiteers have called a “sell-out” deal. This follows weeks of criticism directed at Prime Minister Starmer for what some view as a weak stance on border control and French cooperation.

France has recently pledged to amend its domestic laws, allowing police officers to intercept boats in shallow waters—an authority they previously lacked. Until now, French authorities have been accused of allowing migrant boats to leave their shores, sometimes escorting them into mid-Channel waters where UK Border Force or RNLI crews then intervene.

The urgency of the situation intensified after a record 1,194 migrants crossed the Channel on Saturday alone. Observers reported that French officers stood on beaches taking photos as the boats departed. The surge brings the total number of arrivals this year to 14,811—the highest ever recorded in the first five months of any year and a 42% increase over the same period last year.

France’s interception rate has dropped significantly to just 38% in 2025, down from 45% in 2024, 46.9% in 2023, and 42.4% in 2022, told GB News.

Criticising the lack of enforcement, Philp said:
“The French are completely failing to stop these illegal immigrants, despite receiving hundreds of millions of pounds from the UK taxpayer to do so. They are also failing to intercept any boats at sea and return them as the Belgians do.”

In comments to The Telegraph, Philp called for immediate action on the UK’s recent 12-year fishing agreement with the EU.
“The 12-year fishing deal the UK Government recently proposed with the EU, which is itself outrageous, should be immediately suspended until the French actually stop all these illegal immigrants, including using interceptions at sea. And if they won’t, the fishing deal should be cancelled.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage echoed Philp’s concerns, accusing France of complacency.
“Since 2015, we have pledged and given the best part of £800 million to the French. Yesterday, their officers watched like tourists as over 1,000 young men made the illegal crossing to England,” Farage said.

Defence Secretary John Healey also weighed in, blaming France’s failure to act in shallow waters for the spike in crossings. Speaking on The Camilla Tominey Show, he remarked:
“Britain lost control of its borders five or six years ago. When the Tories left office, they left the asylum system in chaos.”

However, Healey defended Labour’s decision to end the controversial Rwanda scheme, calling it a “failed scheme” that cost “£700 million of taxpayers’ money” and resulted in just “four volunteers” being relocated.