Why sh*t gets real for Keir Starmer in June
A flurry of crucial policy reviews on areas that could define the U.K. prime minister’s government are coming due. POLITICO has you covered.
English Channel
11 deadly trip wires for Keir Starmer as UK politics roars back
MPs are returning to parliament afresh in 2025. But numerous dangers lurk for the British government.
Three people die trying to cross the Channel to UK
Three people died Sunday trying to cross the English Channel from France to the UK, a local French mayor said. Roughly 1,500 people have tried to cross the Channel in small boats between Wednesday and Saturday.
Here’s a cause Greta Thunberg and the Pentagon can agree on
The world needs a coalition of the willing to protect our oceans.
Over a hundred migrants in distress rescued trying to cross English Channel
Over the course of Christmas Day, 12 rescue operations were staged along the coast of northern France, including of a boat experiencing engine trouble.
French rescuers save 107 migrants in Channel in one day
French authorities rescued 107 migrants in the English Channel on Christmas Day during 12 operations along the northern coast as crossings reached a record deadly year.
UK chancellor tells Brussels: We won’t choose Trump over EU
The U.K. finance minister dismissed the idea that Britain would have to pick sides in a possible trade war between the EU and U.S.
Police raid migrant smuggling ring accused over small boat Channel crossings
More than 500 officers participated in the operation, which was co-ordinated with British, French and European agenciesPolice have carried out dawn raids in several cities in Germany and France in an internationally coordinated operation to smash a net…
Russian spy ship escorted away from area with critical cables in Irish Sea
Yantar intelligence ship was seen operating drones in an area containing subsea energy and internet infrastructureA Russian spy ship has been escorted out of the Irish Sea after it entered Irish-controlled waters and patrolled an area containing critic…
Bodies wash up in Calais as questions raised about worst English Channel shipwreck of 2024
Officially, three migrants died on October 23. But reports from relatives and survivors of the worst Channel crossing shipwreck of the year put the total number of victims at 15, mostly Eritreans and Syrians.
Four migrants die in new attempts to cross the English Channel
Four migrants died attempting to cross the English Channel on flimsy vessels from the French coast between Tuesday night and Wednesday, French authorities reported. The latest fatalities bring the total number of deaths in such crossings to at least 6…
French maritime authorities report two migrant deaths in English Channel
French maritime authorities report two migrant deaths in English Channel
Baby dies, 65 rescued after overloaded migrant ship sinks off French coast
An overloaded migrant dinghy headed for the UK from France on Thursday night capsized and sank, killing one baby. Despite French maritime authorities managing to rescue 65 people from the ship, this latest sinking makes 2024 the deadliest year since 2…
Migrant boat sinks off French English Channel coast
The tragic incident claimed the life of an infant, though 65 others were saved. In total, 52 migrants have died while trying to cross the Channel this year, a record since 2018.
Eurocrats can’t read Boris Johnson’s memoir because of … Brexit
“It’s ironic,” says Brussels bookseller.
Everyone Boris Johnson throws under the bus to sell his new book
The former prime minister has axes to grind with political foes, world leaders — and even the Great British public.
The City of London is left out of Brexit discussions. Again.
Despite Labour’s bid to “reset” Brexit relations, the UK’s most globally important industry is once again not part of the conversation.
Four migrants including boy die in Channel
A two-year-old boy’s body was found on a migrant boat in the English Channel, French authorities say.
Four migrants including boy die in Channel
A two-year-old boy’s body was found on a migrant boat in the English Channel, French authorities say.
British government split over new-look Brexit deal
Keir Starmer travels to Brussels with the prospect of a new youth mobility scheme high on the agenda.
Macron tried to punish me for Brexit, Boris Johnson complains
Former British prime minister says Macron “would not hesitate to put his Cuban-heeled bootee into Brexit Britain.”
Boris Johnson: UK considered military raid to seize Dutch Covid jabs
The plan was ultimately abandoned because invading a NATO ally would be “nuts,” former prime minister says in excerpt of memoirs.
Even Britain’s left-wing government seeks lessons from Giorgia Meloni
Keir Starmer wants to ape Italy on tackling irregular migration. He should brace for controversy.
Small boat shipwrecks continue in the English Channel
Eight men died on Sunday as they tried to reach England in a dinghy. 2024 is the deadliest year since these increasingly overcrowded migrant boats began crossing the Channel.
UK studying Italian plans to process asylum claims in Albania, says Meloni
Keir Starmer’s talks with Italy’s rightwing PM came after eight people died trying to cross English Channel on Sunday
8 migrants perish in the Channel, French police say
More than 40 migrants lost their lives trying to cross the Channel since the start of the year.
Eight migrants die in English Channel as tragedies mount
French government laments this year’s ‘terrible’ toll, said to be worst since 2018
Several dead in English Channel crossing attempt, say French authorities
At least eight migrants died early Sunday when the boat they were travelling in capsized during an attempt to cross the English Channel, according to the French authorities. The accident took place shortly after the vessel embarked, less than two week…
Shipwrecks in the English Channel: ‘It would be fair for the British to get involved in managing migratory flows’
France could demand that the UK get involved in examining the situation of those wishing to reach its shores, claims former Pas-de-Calais prefect Cyrille Schott in an article for ‘Le Monde.’ He points out that a similar system was set up after the clos…
Building a shared finance and security vision between Britain and Europe
Against a geopolitical backdrop that’s unrecognizable from just a few years ago, there’s a strong case for developing a cross-Channel finance and security partnership.
Migrants: ‘The government must shed light on practices being used at the France-UK border’
After a boat carrying migrants to the UK sank in the English Channel on September 3, resulting in the deaths of 12 people, a collective of left-wing MPs, intellectuals and creatives – including novelist Annie Ernaux, singer JoeyStarr and actress Corinn…
Moral imperative to stop small boat gangs – Cooper
The home secretary is hosting a meeting on small boats days after 12 die in the English Channel.
Migrant boat attempts another English Channel crossing a day after deadly capsizing
The journey comes a day after at least 12 people died in a failed attempt to journey across the tumultuous English Channel.
Twelve migrants die trying to cross Channel to UK
At least 12 migrants died off the northern French coast on Tuesday (3 September) trying to cross the Channel to England in the deadliest such disaster this year, the French government said after a major rescue operation.
Boat carrying migrants capsizes in English Channel, killing at least 12
A boat carrying migrants ripped apart in the English Channel as they attempted to reach Britain from northern France on Tuesday, plunging dozens into the treacherous waterway and leaving 12 dead, authorities said.
At least 13 migrants dead after boat sinks off northern France
Medical teams have rushed to the scene after the boat, carrying more than 50 migrants, got into trouble in the English Channel.
Emmanuel Macron continues consultations on next PM, weeks after French election – as it happened
France led by caretaker administration since July snap election. This live blog is closedThis blog is now closing. Please follow the latest on a developing situation in the Channel here.A large search-and-rescue operation is under way in the English Ch…
UK announces new measures to crack down on migrant crossings from France
The UK on Wednesday announced new measures to curb the number of migrants from arriving illegally from France via the English Channel. The measures include recruiting specialist officers tasked with dismantling smuggling gangs and sanctioning employer…
Migration keeps derailing British leaders
As the dust settles on days of far-right rioting, the issue seems inescapable for Britain’s new leader Keir Starmer.
The night Britain fought back against riots
Far-right demonstrators were told they were not welcome in protests across the U.K.
Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron: New allies heading in different directions
A U.K. Foreign Office aide said the French president was pleased by how the Brits handled his brainchild summit.
Four migrants die in attempted English Channel crossing
Incident off French coast reflects rise in hazardous small boat crossings this year
Four migrants die attempting to cross English Channel
According to the French maritime police, the four people died off Boulogne sur Mer on France’s northern coast while trying to cross to Britain. Others were rescued alive.
6 things UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants to fix in his first month
Britain’s new leader already has an overflowing in-tray.
Why a disillusioned, angry Britain voted for change
A tour of Britain’s provincial towns reveals a restless nation with no love for its political class.
Nigel Farage storms the UK parliament. Cue the Jaws music.
Donald Trump’s top right-wing British ally warned he wants to “challenge the general election properly in 2029” after being elected for the first time.
‘Build a wall’ in the English Channel to deal with migrants, says Conservative darling
Uber-Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg takes page from Donald Trump’s playbook.
Calais’ Jungle is gone, but the migrants keep coming
French and British efforts to stop small boats have done little to prevent migrants from crossing the Channel.
Over 150 migrants rescued in English Channel, France says
Those on board the vessels were returned to Calais, according to the maritime authority.
Centrists from US to Germany move right on immigration
As elections loom in the U.S., the U.K. and France, the fraught politics of migration are a key issue animating voters on both sides of the Atlantic.
We read Nigel Farage’s manifesto so you don’t have to
The key eyebrow-raising pledges in the Reform UK ‘contract’ with the public.
Sunak’s pitch to Brits: You might hate the Tories, but we’ll cut your taxes
Embattled prime minister bills himself as a man with a plan for the Tory faithful — and paints Keir Starmer as a risky bet.
D-Day: How the battle to liberate Europe began
On June 6, 1944, an armada of 6,939 vessels crossed the English Channel to Normandy to begin what would be a titanic struggle to liberate Europe from the Nazis. On the day of the 80th anniversary of the landings, France 24’s Claire Paccalin takes a lo…
UK general election: Everything you need to know
Britain’s summer election is on. Here’s your bluffer’s guide.
UK opposition leader sets out plans to tackle small boats crossings
British opposition leader Keir Starmer will say on Friday (10 May) a Labour government would hire hundreds of enforcement officials and use counter-terrorism powers to target people-smuggling gangs to stop asylum seekers arriving in England on small bo…
Tory MP Natalie Elphicke in shock defection to Labour
Elphicke is the second Conservative MP to cross the floor in two weeks.
Britain offloads its refugee crisis to Ireland. Dublin is aghast.
To Irish eyes, post-Brexit Britain’s toughening message to asylum seekers looks like “To Rwanda — or to Ireland.”
More than 700 people arrive by small boats in a day
A total of 711 people were detected crossing the English Channel on Wednesday.
More than 700 people arrive by small boats in a day
A total of 711 people were detected crossing the English Channel on Wednesday.
Brexit border chiefs left in the dark hours before new checks kick in
Ports have spent millions of their own cash on high-spec inspection facilities — but still don’t know how they’ll recoup their costs.
Five migrants drown in Channel hours after UK passes Rwanda asylum bill
Five people, including a child, died in an attempt to cross the English Channel from France on Tuesday, hours after Britain passed a bill to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda to try to deter the dangerous crossings.
Migrant crossings to UK hit new record, heaping pressure on Sunak
More than 4,600 asylum seekers have arrived in Britain on small boats so far in 2024, a record total for the first three months of the year and giving Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a fresh political headache.
Report: French police put migrants’ lives at risk with aggressive tactics against small boats
UK PM Sunak has pledged to “stop the boats” from crossing the Channel and said he would pay millions of pounds to France for help.
UK, EU eye deal to prevent import of boats used for migrants crossings
A grouping of northern European countries on Monday (4 March) agreed to work on a new “customs partnership” to disrupt the supply of small boats used to carry migrants cross the Channel, Britain’s interior ministry said.
Girl, 7, dies in English Channel crossing attempt
A boat carrying 16 migrants capsized in French waters a few kilometres from the coast, local officials say.
British banks head for a Basel win
SNEAK PEEK — U.K. banks look set to get capital relief for SME lending. — Lloyds sets aside £450 million amid FCA investigation. — Government criticized for delays on sustainable finance. Good morning! James’ excellent scoop got a mention by none other than the Money Saver himself, Martin Lewis. Not too shabby for a newsletter […]
UK inks deal with EU’s Frontex on illegal migration
Pact stops short of a returns agreement, but will allow the two sides’ border agencies to work together more closely.
Hunt attempts to woo first-time buyers
SNEAK PEEK — SCOOP: Hunt to court first-time buyers with lifetime ISA shake-up. — Bim Afolami defends “damp squib” Edinburgh reforms. —King Charles III will be on your fivers from June 5. Good morning! We’re writing to you from our London HQ. Perhaps one day we’ll write from the BT Tower, which is due to become […]
POLITICO rings the London Stock Exchange bell
SNEAK PEEK — U.K. regulatory contingent heads across the Channel for some schmoozing. — Cross-bench MPs to probe Bank of England on interest rate division. — FCA calls in real-estate big guns as work-from-home trend continues. Good morning! Today marks the official launch of POLITICO Pro Financial Services U.K. subscription service and the very first […]
Brexit’s latest twist: Britain pushes the EU to increase red tape
The City of London was supposed to have been set free by Britain’s departure from the EU. That’s not how it’s turning out.
Rishi Sunak wins Rwanda bill vote after facing down rebels
In the end only a handful of Tories voted against the contentious asylum bill.
Four migrants die trying to cross English Channel
British MPs are set to debate legislation designed to shore up UK efforts to deal with asylum seekers arriving in small boats.
7 tripwires for Rishi Sunak as 2024 fires up
With an election looming, the UK prime minister is facing his toughest year yet.
Rishi Sunak previously questioned controversial Rwanda asylum plan: BBC
As Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2022, Sunak tried to convince then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to scale back the Rwanda scheme, broadcaster says.
2023: In pictures
POLITICO looks back on the images that defined the year 2023.
At least one person dead as boat carrying more than 60 migrants capsizes in English Channel
A boat carrying more than 60 migrants capsized in the Channel off France overnight Thursday to Friday while attempting to reach Britain, with one person dead and another in critical condition, French maritime authorities said.
Meet the Tory mafia trying to blow up Rishi Sunak
The so-called “five families” of Conservative MPs are gearing up for their next migration fight.
‘Wingless birds’: life aboard Britain’s controversial asylum barge
Residents of the Bibby Stockholm speak out, as Conservatives strike a tough pose on asylum policy.
European Commission to pitch three-year delay to Brexit electric vehicle tariffs
The measure is expected to be approved by EU member state ambassadors in a meeting next week.
UK migration soars to record high despite Tory Brexit promises
The Conservatives promised to cut migration. It just rose again.
Rishi Sunak loses Supreme Court battle over UK plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda
Judgment will have major ramifications for the under-pressure prime minister.
Rishi Sunak declares victory as fall in UK inflation rate meets his pledge
UK prime minister talks up ‘hard decisions and fiscal discipline’ as inflation rate falls to 4.6 percent. Labour say don’t pop the champagne corks yet.
Judgment day for Rishi Sunak as Supreme Court rules on Rwanda deportation plan
POLITICO maps the winding journey to the top court for the U.K. government’s flagship plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Sacked Suella Braverman says Rishi Sunak has ‘betrayed the nation’ over immigration
Ex-home secretary rails against prime minister a day after her sacking.
Helicopters, riding boots and vacuum cleaners: How French border force spends UK money
Figures obtained by POLITICO shed light on key border deal between U.K. and France.
Russia’s shadow fleet is a disaster waiting to happen
The escalating situation poses enormous risks to law-abiding ships, the environment and the unfortunate countries controlling the waters in which these accidents occur.
Paris bedbugs: We’re worried too, says London mayor Sadiq Khan
Khan says he’s speaking to ‘our friends in Paris’ for advice on keeping bedbugs at bay.
After Brexit, Britain and Europe embrace ever-closer union
Rishi Sunak has fundamentally changed the nature of the post-Brexit relationship.
Voters no longer see Sunak as asset to UK Tories
A presidential campaign built around Sunak might not work, More in Common polling shared with POLITICO shows.
UK facing highest number of asylum claims for two decades
The last time UK asylum claims were this high was 2002, when 84,130 asylum applications were made in a year.
Four charged over Channel migrant deaths: French judicial source
French prosecutors on Wednesday charged four people with involuntary manslaughter over the deaths of at least six migrants whose boat sank in the English Channel last weekend, a judicial source told AFP.
Britain’s ‘failing’ asylum system in numbers
POLITICO crunches the key data as the UK bids to stop people crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Pressure to act on small boat crossings intensifies after 6 die in English Channel
A former Tory Party chair warns that radical changes are needed.
Six die as Britain-bound migrant boat capsizes in Channel
Six people died after a migrant boat trying to cross the Channel from France to Britain capsized early on Saturday (12 August), and another two people were possibly missing, French authorities said.
Several dead and more than 50 rescued after migrant boat capsizes in English Channel
Six Afghan males died when a migrant boat heading to Britain sank in the Channel early Saturday, French officials said, as a search continued to find those still missing.
Why Britain wants to shout about its offshore asylum ship
Rishi Sunak is going big on his small boats plan.
UK moves some asylum seekers to a barge on southern coast
Britain began moving some migrants on to a large residential barge on its southern coast on Monday, as part of plans to save money and remove what the government called the “pull” of hotels for those arriving in small boats.