Headline: Burnham and Macron Pledge Closer Cooperation on Migration, Europe and Defence

Date: 3 September 2026

Tags: UK Politics, France, Migration, Europe

Summary:

• Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosted French President Emmanuel Macron, his first foreign leader since taking office in July.

• Burnham and Macron agreed to increase efforts against illegal migration and further reduce English Channel crossings.

• The leaders discussed Burnham’s plans to strengthen the UK’s relationship with Europe.

• Burnham raised concerns that proposed EU procurement rules could disadvantage British industries.

• Britain is deploying 45 additional police officers to French beaches to tackle increasingly large migrant boats.

• Burnham and Macron discussed establishing Ukrainian production lines for French-British long-range Scalp and Storm Shadow missiles.

• They also discussed tensions in the Middle East and reducing escalation around the Strait of Hormuz.

• Burnham condemned Israeli plans for additional settlements in the occupied West Bank as “unacceptable”.

• He warned the proposed settlements could undermine prospects for a two-state solution.

• Macron described UK-France relations as strong and expressed his commitment to bringing the countries closer together.

Why this matters: The talks demonstrate Burnham’s push for closer European relations while strengthening cooperation on migration, defence and international security.

What’s next: Britain and France are expected to expand Channel enforcement while pursuing closer economic, diplomatic and defence cooperation.