Taxpayers Demand Results After Funding Promises on Migrant Boats

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IN the past decade, Britain has handed over £1billion to France as an incentive to stop the migrant boats.

But what have taxpayers got for their money?

Britain has handed over £1billion to France as an incentive to stop the migrant boats Credit: Getty Andy Burnham is going to have to confront the thorny issue head-on Credit: AP

Since 2018, more than 200,000 have crossed the Channel in flimsy dinghies — enough to populate Portsmouth — while French simply shrugged their shoulders and looked on.

You’d be forgiven for thinking they had been told not to try too hard because they’re glad to see the back of them.

The more money they get the less they do to intercept boats in shallow water.

Barely a third of attempted crossings have been thwarted by French police since a lucrative three-year funding deal was signed in April.

The number of migrants arriving by small boats has topped 2,000 in the two weeks since became PM.

Last Wednesday, 752 landed, the highest number in a single day this year.

We now learn it — most of whom probably hop on the next boat out anyway.

The money would be better spent on a proper deterrent like reviving the Rwanda deportation scheme — sending Labour’s open borders backbenchers into meltdown in the process.

Uncontrolled migration is having a devastating impact on wages and will make British workers £2,500 a year worse off by 2031, according to Tory analysis.

Sooner or later Mr Burnham is going to have to confront the thorny issue head-on.

He won’t solve the problem by talking about buses or his favourite pub snacks on social media or telling us that “much more needs to be done”.

It’s two weeks since he entered No10 on a pledge to restore hope in .

Taxpayers have forked out enough for promises. They want to see results.

Tin eared

THE shocking scenes in Ceuta should be a wake-up call for world leaders.

the tiny Spanish territory from Morocco, in Europe’s biggest ever border breach.

It left 72 people dead and caused alarm among national leaders. But not so Spain’s PM.

As a sea search for bodies continued, Pedro Sanchez left for a two-week holiday with his wife in Lanzarote.

In a callous disregard for the victims, he took to social media to share his soundtrack of music by , and the .

Europe’s border crisis demands serious leadership — not a playlist.

Get to business

BRITISH business is stuck in a vicious circle of high taxes and sluggish growth.

New ventures are starting up at the lowest rate in a decade.

More than 160,000 firms closed last year after crippling Labour National Insurance hikes.

In 12 weeks’ time, new Chancellor can turn his first Budget into a lifeline for business.

By undoing the damage inflicted by his predecessor.