Keir Starmer has been branded “weak” after migrants in Calais said they would not stop coming to the UK despite a new asylum deal between France and the UK. The pilot initiative was designed to reduce the number of small boat crossings by returning illegal arrivals to France in exchange for legally processed asylum seekers with family ties in the UK.
But within hours of the announcement, the Express witnessed hundreds of migrants gathering in northern France, preparing to make the journey. Some were already attempting to board inflatable dinghies, while others had managed to launch boats that ultimately reached British soil. Despite the promise of a tougher stance, migrants waiting in Calais openly mocked the idea that the new policy would discourage them. “We will try anyway,” several men told the Express, laughing off questions about whether the new deal had changed their minds.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed Sir Keir over the deal, which was announced last Thursday. He said: “With 94% of illegal immigrants allowed to stay in the UK under Keir Starmer’s weak deal, it’s no wonder migrants themselves say it will make no difference. This latest wheeze won’t work – just like Starmer’s previous ‘smash the gangs’ gimmick didn’t work.
“Illegal immigrant crossings of the channel are up over 40% since the election, and 2025 so far has been the worst in history. Starmer is a weak prime minister who has lost control of our borders, and now illegal immigrants are openly laughing in his face.”
Although French gendarmes were seen intervening in some crossings over the weekend, their presence remains inconsistent across the northern coastline. On Sunday morning, officers disrupted one crossing attempt by slashing a dinghy near Sangatte beach, just south of Calais. Officers waded towards the boat, carrying more than 40 migrants, and punctured it multiple times, leaving it deflated on the sand.
The migrants, most of whom were men, scrambled back onto the shore and across the dunes. There, aid workers met them with foil blankets, hot drinks, and supportive words. The group huddled about 200 metres inland while eight French officers remained on the beach, dragging the dinghy away for disposal.
Despite the failed attempt, the mood among the migrants was far from defeated. One man from Ethiopia explained that while his “country is the greatest on Earth”, he wants to go to “the other greatest nation – Great Britain.”
After about thirty minutes of rest and rehydration, the group gradually dispersed, likely returning to nearby camps to await the next opportunity to cross.
As dawn broke on Saturday morning, hundreds of migrants were gathered in the dunes, eagerly preparing for their turn to launch. A white dinghy floated just offshore, waiting to be boarded. However, just as a group made their move, police deployed rounds of tear gas, causing thick white clouds to drift across the sand and forcing the migrants to retreat.
Despite the disruption, six boats carrying 317 people managed to reach the UK that same morning.
Five dinghies carrying 353 migrants arrived in Britain the day before, Friday, July 11. That figure followed Thursday’s total of 573 arrivals, coinciding with the official announcement of the new deal.
These numbers highlight what many see as the ineffectiveness of French police efforts to prevent crossings. Despite isolated interventions, thousands of migrants remain in towns across northern France, camping in makeshift shelters or wandering the streets as they await their chance.
While travelling through several of these towns, the Express noted a sparse police presence. In contrast, over a dozen unused police vans were seen parked outside a hotel where officers are reportedly stationed, raising further questions about their priorities.
Early indications suggest Sir Keir’s new scheme may fall short of expectations. Under the deal, just 50 migrants per week are expected to be returned to France, equating to roughly one return for every 17 new arrivals.
Since Sir Keir became Prime Minister, over 44,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats. So far this year, more than 21,000 have made the journey – a staggering 50% increase over the same period in 2024.
Despite the fanfare, the chaos in Calais and the persistent flow of crossings suggest that the deal, at least in its early stages, has yet to deliver meaningful deterrence. For now, the message from the migrants remains consistent: they’re coming anyway.
The Express has contacted the Home Office for comment.