France and Britain have unveiled a new collaborative plan aimed at reining in the record surge of migrants crossing the English Channel in small “taxi‑boat.” Under the measures, French authorities would be empowered to intercept migrant-laden vessels up to 300 metres offshore—an expansion beyond current powers that allow intervention only in life-threatening situations or when vessels are already at sea.
The announcement arrives against the backdrop of a dramatic rise in crossings this year, with nearly 20,000 migrants having made the journey so far in 2025—a 50% increase on 2024 figures. June alone saw more than 5,000 arrivals, including daily records of nearly 1,200, placing the UK on track to surpass its 2022 peak of almost 46,000 crossings.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and President Emmanuel Macron have championed revisions to the rules of engagement, enabling the Compagnie de Marche and other French police units to lawfully board or redirect boats in shallow waters or just offshore. Reports suggest that French officers have begun puncturing dinghies with knives in the water—a controversial tactic aimed at disabling vessels before they fully depart.
These steps are being formalized in legislation and doctrines expected to be presented at the upcoming UK‑France summit, scheduled for early July, alongside Macron’s state visit to the UK. The UK government, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper at the helm, has welcomed the move, citing the urgency to more effectively prevent smuggling operations—aided by improved enforcement powers and financial support.
Despite political momentum, law enforcement officials and NGOs have raised concerns. Critics argue that French police lack the resources, training, and legal insulation needed for tactical operations at sea, adding that interventions could escalate risks rather than mitigate them. NGOs like Care4Calais have warned that increasing interdiction could lead to boat instability, capsizing, or panic onboard.
Local police unions also highlight fears over liability—officers could be held responsible if migrants drown during attempts to push back or detain vessels.
The UK has exerted significant pressure for tougher action, including taxi‑boat, raising punishing rhetoric and redirecting funding to reinforce French border security. Since early 2025, London has channeled nearly £480–£500 million to boost France’s coastguard, drones, vehicle patrols, and similar measures. Former UK Defence Secretary John Healey sharply rebuked what he termed French “failure” to act, describing the beaches as a “world’s most expensive sieve”.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who campaigned on “stop the boats,” and taxi‑boat recognizes the policy as a core challenge. After meeting President Macron during the G7 summit, he emphasized that migration would take centre stage at the forthcoming summit, reiterating the importance of bilateral coordination and exploring visa controls and returns protocols.
Accusations from the right-wing Reform UK and Conservatives argue that the Labour government’s earlier abandonment of the Rwanda deportation scheme and softer asylum policy have fed the surge. Nigel Farage, among others, recommends the Royal Navy be used to send boats back directly—though French cooperation remains pivotal.
The Channel crossing crisis has tragically claimed lives, with at least 17 deaths from small‑boat tragedies in 2025 alone, adding to over 60 fatalities in 2024. Between 2018 and 2023, more than 133 deaths were recorded. The notable 2021 disaster near Calais, with 28 lives lost, remains a stark reminder of the route’s risk.
Experts maintain that law enforcement alone cannot address displacement’s root causes—ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan, Eritrea, Iran and beyond compel many migrants to gamble with their lives. Migrants recount being willing to risk death for a chance at safety or better livelihood in the UK.
With peace appearing increasingly fragile, France’s legal upgrade could mark a pivotal shift, enabling proactive intervention against smuggling networks. However, questions loom: Can such aggressive measures be executed safely? Will they hold up under legal scrutiny? And might they merely push traffickers to adapt again?
For the UK, the next summit is a chance to secure concrete mechanisms—detention or early returns, enhanced legal frameworks, and mutual accountability—which could shape an overhauled post‑Brexit migration regime between the two nations. But without parallel investment in taxi‑boat project, safe, legal migration channels and humanitarian pathways, experts warn that demand for perilous crossings will endure.
