Archive · 3 Sep 2026
UK and France Target Mega Dinghies as Channel Crossings Continue
The United Kingdom and France are working together to stop migrant boats crossing the English Channel.
Some smuggling gangs are now using bigger and stronger boats called mega dinghies.
France plans to send 45 officers to beaches to help stop these boats from launching.
The UK says crossings this summer were the lowest since 2019.
However, Andy Burnham said the countries must not become complacent because smugglers change their methods.
Burnham and Emmanuel Macron will also discuss support for Ukraine.
They may talk about stability in the Middle East and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Burnham also wants closer cooperation between the UK and the European Union after Brexit.
One expert warned that friendly relations must lead to real progress.
Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron will hold their first talks on Thursday, with Channel crossings and Ukraine on the agenda.
The leaders are expected to discuss larger, more powerful migrant boats described as “mega dinghies.”
France plans to deploy a 45-officer surge team on beaches in the coming weeks to disrupt launches.
The UK government says Channel crossings reached their lowest summer level since 2019 after an enforcement deal with France.
The talks are also expected to cover Ukraine, Middle East stability, the Strait of Hormuz and closer UK-EU cooperation.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron, supported by British and French officials.
- What
- They will discuss joint efforts to stop migrant Channel crossings, including the use of larger “mega dinghies.”
- When
- Their first formal talks are scheduled for Thursday, after they met at the British Museum on Wednesday evening.
- Where
- The talks concern launches from French beaches and crossings of the English Channel; the leaders first met at the British Museum in London.
- Why
- The governments want to respond to changing tactics by smuggling gangs and strengthen cooperation on migration, Ukraine and wider security issues.
Government and cooperation advocates
Critics seeking stronger results
Small-boat enforcement
Government and cooperation advocates
The UK and France say joint enforcement is producing results and are expanding cooperation to address larger boats.
Critics seeking stronger results
Andy Burnham says the countries cannot become complacent because smuggling gangs are adapting their tactics.
Post-Brexit UK-EU relations
Government and cooperation advocates
Burnham supports closer cooperation with the European Union to address public frustration and help improve UK growth.
Critics seeking stronger results
Analyst Anand Menon warned that friendly UK-France relations could produce “style without substance” unless they deliver progress in EU negotiations.
Ukraine cooperation
Government and cooperation advocates
Burnham and Macron present continued British and French cooperation on Ukraine as an important shared priority.
Critics seeking stronger results
The articles do not identify a substantive opposing position on Ukraine policy.
- French surge team
- A team of 45 French officers will be deployed on beaches in the coming weeks.
- Main migration concern
- Authorities are focusing on the emerging use of larger, more powerful boats called “mega dinghies.”
- Reported crossing level
- The UK government says this summer had the lowest number of small-boat crossings since 2019.
- Ukraine policy
- Burnham said Britain’s direction of support for Ukraine had not changed after the change of prime minister.
- Additional security issues
- The talks may cover Middle East stability and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- UK-EU relations
- Burnham wants to build on earlier efforts to bring the UK closer to the European Union.