Germany is set to tighten its laws against people-smuggling to the UK by the end of the year, making it illegal to facilitate illegal migration to a non-EU country. This announcement coincides with a new agreement between the UK and Germany covering migration, business, and defence, signed during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to the UK on Thursday. The legal change will enable German authorities to better investigate and take action against facilities used by smugglers for illegal Channel crossings. This move follows a BBC investigation that highlighted Germany's role in supplying boats for these crossings. The UK also recently announced a pilot returns scheme with France. Over 21,000 people have made the dangerous journey across the Channel this year, a 56% increase from the same period in 2024.
Germany to tighten people-smuggling law by end of year
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Germany is set to tighten its laws against people-smuggling to the UK by the end of the year, making it illegal to facilitate illegal migration to a non-EU country. This announcement coincides with a new agreement between the UK and Germany covering migration, business, and defence, signed during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to the UK on Thursday. The legal change will enable German authorities to better investigate and take action against facilities used by smugglers for illegal Channel crossings. This move follows a BBC investigation that highlighted Germany's role in supplying boats for these crossings. The UK also recently announced a pilot returns scheme with France. Over 21,000 people have made the dangerous journey across the Channel this year, a 56% increase from the same period in 2024.
Trending- 1 Berlin agreed to tighten legislation in December (under previous government)
- 2 New chancellor expected to commit to changing the law by the end of the year
- 3 UK announced a new pilot returns scheme with France last week
- 4 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first official visit to the UK on Thursday
- 5 More than 21,000 people have made the Channel journey so far this year (56% increase on 2024)
- Easier investigation and action against people-smugglers in Germany
- Potential reduction in illegal Channel crossings
- Strengthened UK-Germany relations
- Increased UK defence exports
- New commercial investments and job creation in the UK