French authorities are failing to stop almost two-thirds of would-be Channel-crossing migrants, despite Britain paying them almost £500,000 every day to do just that.
In 2025 alone, 13,167 migrants have arrived on the South Coast.
But at the same time, analysis of Home Office figures shows that just 8,347 have been stopped by French patrols - just over a third of the total who tried to cross.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has now accused France of sitting "in breach of their international law obligations to stop illegal migration".
Emmanuel Macron's authorities are failing to stop almost two thirds of would-be Channel-crossing migrants
GETTY
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has now accused France of sitting 'in breach of their international law obligations'
PA"Stopping under 40 per cent of illegal immigrants attempting to cross is pathetic," he said.
"Even the 40 per cent stopped are simply let go by the French and they just attempt to cross the next day instead."
Philp has instead urged France to follow Belgium's lead and return the boats to French soil as a matter of priority - which he said would also stop migrants "congregating around Calais".
Those who then make it over should be "immediately removed" and sent to a non-European third location like Rwanda, he added.
Philp continued: "Labour's claim to smash the gangs lies in tatters, with 37,000 illegal immigrants having arrived since the election, and 2025 so far has been the worst year in history for illegal immigrants. Labour has lost control of our borders."
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France should follow Belgium's lead and return the boats to French soil rather than have them escorted into UK waters, Philp said
PA
The French failures come despite the UK agreeing to pay Paris some £480million to stop more Channel crossings.
The nine-figure sum includes £175million in the current financial year - more than £480,000 every day.
The Express reports that France will soon agree to change its own rules to allow French vessels to intercept small boats in shallow water this summer, when the weather is best and crossings are at their highest.
The countries are also said to be in talks over a "one-for-one" returns deal that will allow asylum seekers to join their family members already in Britain, while in return, Channel migrants will be taken back to France.
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Yvette Cooper's Home Office is said to be working with French authorities to build up a 'one-for-one' returns deal
PALondon and Paris are working on a "pilot scheme" which could later be expanded into a wider European deal.
Home Office sources insist that the first "hurdle" to jump is to test whether a returns deal is possible at all.
While a spokesman for the department said: "We are strengthening our vital cooperation with France to disrupt the gangs behind these crossings.
"From this month, a new unit of dedicated officers has been mobilised to increase patrols along the northern coast of France.
"At the same time, the French authorities are working to amend their operational policy to allow maritime forces to intervene in shallow waters."
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