See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 22:30 BST, 2 September 2026 | Updated: 20:42 BST, 3 September 2026
Andy Burnham will beg Emmanuel Macron to do more to help stop the boats after France offered just 45 more officers to tackle the new wave of 'mega-dinghies'.The Prime Minister will use talks in Downing Street on Thursday to urge the French President to step up efforts to tackle illegal Channel crossings.The two leaders are expected to announce plans for a new 'surge team' of French police, funded by Britain, to tackle the growing use of 'mega-dinghies', carrying up to 230 migrants.But government sources have admitted that it will involve just 45 extra officers.Mr Burnham is also expected to ask the French President to extend the controversial 'one in, one out' deal, despite it leading to the removal of fewer than 30 illegal migrants a week in its first year.The Prime Minister said this summer's fall in the number of crossings showed 'what can be achieved when the UK and France work together'.But the Conservatives branded the plans a 'joke', saying that rough weather in the Channel was the main reason for a fall in crossings.Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'Since the election 95 per cent of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel have been allowed to stay – so no wonder they keep coming. Almost 20,000 illegal immigrants so far this year is still a disaster.'
