Sir Keir Starmer will face intense questioning from Kemi Badenoch at Prime Minister’s Questions today before rushing to crucial migration negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street.
The Prime Minister is expected to be grilled by the Leader of the Opposition over a controversial “one in, one out” migration agreement with France. The proposed deal has sparked fierce criticism from Conservative MPs, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp dismissing it as a “migrant merry-go-round.”
Shortly after PMQs concludes at 12:30pm, Starmer will return to Number 10 for afternoon talks with Macron, who is on day three of his state visit to Britain. The meeting marks a critical moment in UK-France relations as both leaders seek solutions to the Channel crossing crisis.
Controversial Migration Deal
The proposed agreement would see France accept Channel migrants returned from Britain in exchange for the UK taking asylum seekers from France who have family connections to Britain. Critics argue the arrangement fails to address the fundamental issue of illegal crossings.
We pay the French half a billion pounds to wave the boats off from Calais, and in return we get a migrant merry-go-round where the same number still come here,” Philp stated. The Shadow Home Secretary accused Labour of pursuing a “gimmick” rather than demanding real enforcement action.
Government sources defend the pilot scheme as a deterrent, arguing it would break the business model of smuggling gangs by removing the guarantee of remaining in Britain after crossing the Channel.
French Demands Emerge
An Elysee Palace source revealed Macron is pressing Starmer to address three key areas to reduce the appeal of illegal Channel crossings. The French President reportedly wants Britain to crack down on its black market for labour and tighten welfare access for illegal migrants.
“These causes must also be addressed by the British,” the Elysee source told The Telegraph. Macron is also pushing for easier family reunification processes for legitimate asylum seekers as part of any comprehensive deal.
However, French officials have denied reports that Macron blames Britain for the crisis. “The French President looks forward to working with the Prime Minister constructively on this shared priority,” a senior Elysee source stated.
Record Crossing Numbers
The migration talks come amid mounting pressure on Starmer’s government over Channel crossings. GB News revealed that 44,000 migrants have arrived on British shores during the Prime Minister’s first year in office – a 40 percent increase from the 31,000 who crossed during Rishi Sunak’s final year.
More than 20,000 people made the crossing in the first six months of 2025, up approximately 50 percent from the same period last year. The surge has intensified political pressure on Starmer, who pledged during the election campaign to “smash the gangs” operating the dangerous route.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced new measures last week targeting asylum seekers working illegally in Britain’s black market economy. The crackdown forms part of broader efforts to reduce the UK’s appeal as a destination for illegal migration.
Parliamentary Showdown
Speaking in Westminster yesterday, Macron addressed the migration crisis directly, calling it a “clear issue” requiring joint action. The French President, who also described Brexit as “deeply regrettable,” emphasized shared responsibility between the nations.
“France and the United Kingdom have a shared responsibility to address irregular migration with humanity, solidarity and fairness,” Macron told MPs and peers. He promised France would deliver “tangible results” through enhanced cooperation.
The state visit represents the first by a French president since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. Macron’s address to Parliament followed in the footsteps of Charles de Gaulle and François Mitterrand, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the occasion.
EU Opposition Emerges
The proposed migration deal faces additional complications after five EU countries expressed opposition. Italy, Greece, Spain, Malta and Cyprus have written to the European Commission warning that returned migrants could subsequently be sent back to their original EU entry points.
“We take note with a degree of surprise of the reported intention of France to sign a bilateral readmission arrangement,” the five nations stated in their letter. They expressed “serious concerns” about procedural issues and potential implications for first-entry member states.
The opposition from southern European nations could complicate negotiations and limit the scope of any bilateral UK-France agreement. EU regulations typically require migrants to claim asylum in their first country of arrival within the bloc.
Diplomatic Protocol
While Starmer and Macron conduct their migration discussions, Lady Victoria Starmer and French First Lady Brigitte Macron will have tea and tour Downing Street together. The four will conclude the meeting with a working lunch.
The afternoon summit follows Tuesday’s pomp-filled ceremonies, including a state banquet at Windsor Castle hosted by King Charles III. During the banquet, the King acknowledged the “profound challenges” of irregular migration across the English Channel.
Our security services and police will go further still to protect us against the profound challenges of terrorism, organised crime, cyber attacks and of course irregular migration,” the monarch stated.
Pressure Mounts
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope warned that failure to secure a migration agreement would represent a significant diplomatic setback for Britain. “It would be a snub, I think, if the UK can’t get this agreed,” he stated.
The talks occur against a backdrop of deteriorating conditions in the Channel, with maritime sources predicting a surge in crossings over the coming fortnight due to favorable weather conditions. French authorities have recently begun intercepting boats at sea, marking a policy shift from previous restrictions.
As both leaders prepare for their crucial discussions, the pressure remains intense to deliver concrete results on an issue that has dominated British politics and strained cross-Channel relations for years.
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