France stops lower than half of Channel migrants regardless of £480m from UK

French efforts have been branded “dismal” and “disappointing” after it emerged lower than half of Channel migrants have been intercepted thus far this yr regardless of a £480million cope with Britain to cease crossings.

Official figures present that 13,759 migrants – or 45.2 per cent – have been stopped by the French since January.

The whole is down from 17,032 – 45.8 per cent – over the identical interval final yr.

There have been fewer tried crossings this yr, regarded as partly as a consequence of dangerous climate.

Rishi Sunak agreed to a three-year £480million cope with France in March as a part of his pledge to cease small boats.

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Tim Loughton, a former minister and a member of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, instructed The Telegraph: “These figures are very disappointing given the huge investment of resources funded by the British taxpayer, which we have been assured has led to enhanced patrols and therefore much better interception rates.

“Clearly we are paying more money for the French police to continue failing to stop even more migrants on the beaches before they get into the water.

“We need an immediate value for money assessment of exactly what the British taxpayer is getting for their money.”

Natalie Elphicke, the Tory MP for Dover, added that it was a “dismal” record.

She called for the French to agree to joint patrols with the UK on French beaches, which Paris has resisted.

Ms Elphicke said: “It’s important to remember that stopping the boats – and the brazen criminality that goes with them – is in the interests of both the UK and France.

“That’s why all of us have to work collectively to deliver this disaster to an finish.”

It comes days after it emerged the EU has rejected a migrant returns settlement with Britain.

More than 17,000 individuals have made the harmful journey from France thus far this yr.

The Prime Minister has made curbing Channel crossings one in all his high 5 priorities.