Over the past decades, UK governments have paid France millions of pounds to stem the tide of boat crossings. It has all been wasted.
France is again demanding more money to do what it should morally be doing. I believe it is time for a new initiative.
The new deal with France should be a reward system. They should receive a payment of say £1,000 for every boat migrant they take back.
It will probably not stop the crossings, it will however be cheaper than the millions currently paid to France for no visible benefit.
I am sure many of the returned migrants will again try to return to the UK. To do so, they will need to raise a lot of money to pay the traffickers. That obstacle may be the game changer.
Phillip James
Fleet Hargate