Macron and Starmer to meet as pair agree ‘new deterrent' needed to stop small boats
Date: 05:26 BST
Title: What the UK papers say about a migration deal
Content: Ian AikmanLive reporter
Both Sir Keir and Macron have expressed a desire to reach an agreement aimed at tackling small boat crossings in the Channel. It's expected to be a key focus of the joint summit today.
So far, no details of a potential deal have been made public, but some of this morning's papers include reports of what's been discussed behind closed doors.
According to the Times and the Sun, the UK will return 50 migrants a week to France under a pilot scheme that could be extended in the future. This means one in 17 migrants who arrive in small boats will be returned to France, according to the Times' calculations.
Britain would accept the same number of asylum seekers with a UK family connection in a "one for one" exchange, the Times reports. The Sun highlights opposition to this potential deal, with its headline describing it as a "kick in the Gauls".
But the Guardian's front page suggests a deal might not be reached at all this week, with aides on both sides saying there were still "several significant hurdles" to overcome just hours before the summit.
Update:
Date: 05:24 BST
Title: A commitment to tackle the smuggling gangs
Content: Damian GrammaticasPolitical correspondent
At this summit, the UK and France are promising that they will make progress on "new and innovative solutions, including a new deterrent" to "break the business model" of the gangs smuggling people across the Channel.
The deal that's been under discussion envisages the UK returning migrants to France. For each individual taken back, France would transfer one asylum seeker to the UK, probably someone with a family connection or genuine reason to seek sanctuary here.
What's not known are the potential numbers involved and whether final details could be agreed this week.
When it comes to defence, the UK and France will sign a declaration saying that their independent nuclear deterrents could, in future, be co-ordinated, if an adversary was threatening either country, and there were no extreme threats they would not confront together.
There will also be joint development of new missiles and air defences, and support for Ukraine.
Update:
Date: 05:23 BST
Title: Starmer and Macron to meet amid hopes of small boats deal
Content: Good morning and welcome to our final day of coverage for Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK.
This morning, the French president will meet the British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, as the pair prepare to host the 37th Franco-British Summit in London.
They'll lead their respective teams in a round of talks through the morning. It's widely expected they will emerge with a deal on small boat crossings, as it comes just one day after Downing Street said France and the UK had agreed that the two countries needed a new deterrent to tackle the issue.
Defence commitments will also probably feature, as well as Ukraine, particularly when the two leaders spearhead a meeting of the "coalition of the willing" on the sidelines of the summit.
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