[Dargo]

France has overtaken Germany as Europe’s top destination for asylum seekers. During the first quarter of 2025, France registered more than 40,000 applications, just above Spain (39,318) and Germany (37,387). The truth is that Britain and France are both seen as soft touches by the migrants and the gangs who smuggle them into their countries. Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Italy have all shown that with determination and a coherent plan it is possible to reduce illegal immigration and asylum applications.

Instead of following the example of Denmark, the governments of Britain and France cobble together agreements that are rarely worth the paper they’re written on. In March 2023, Rishi Sunak and Macron met in Paris and, amid much fanfare, announced an ‘entente’ that would put an end to the scourge of small boats crossing the Channel. The scheme involved Britain handing France £480 million. Nearly 9,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats this year, a 42 % increase on the same period in 2024. Perhaps Britain should ask Macron for its money back.