Tory MP slams French for pocketing ‘millions in taxpayers’ money’

Around 40,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman warning of an “invasion” on the south coast, comments which have been condemned by opponents. Provisional Government figures to date show 39,913 people have arrived in the UK after making the journey. The Tory MP slammed the “woeful” processing of asylum seekers in the UK.Speaking to BBC News, Mr Bowie said: “It is woeful. The Prime Minister admitted as such today.”Robert Jenrick said the same last week. We are addressing this, we are taking action to speed things up.”We are increasing the speed in which asylum claims are processed.”Asked by host Jo Coburn why the Government has not been able to do it, he continued: “There has been immense pressure on the system as a result of the tens and thousands of people coming across the Channel on small boats.READ MORE: Rishi Sunak scraps target of axing 91,000 civil servants Andrew Bowie lashed out at the French Government over the migrant crisis (Image: BBC) Around 40,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year (Image: Getty)”We need to get to grips with that. The French have had millions of pounds of British taxpayer’s money to deal with the situation on the other side of the Channel.”It comes as Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron have pledged to “deepening” the partnership between the UK and France in a bid to render Channel crossings “completely unviable”.In their first call on Friday morning since the Prime Minister took office, Mr Sunak stressed the “importance” of the alliance as he sought to lay the groundwork for a warmer relationship between the two countries.The rising number of crossings has prompted a war of words between Britain and its continental neighbour in the past as critics question whether the millions of pounds the Government pays to France to fund resources and police officers to curb the crossings is producing results.A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister stressed the importance for both nations to make the Channel route completely unviable for people traffickers. The leaders committed to deepening our partnership to deter deadly journeys across the Channel that benefit organised criminals.The pair also agreed on a “huge range of areas” on which it is “vital” the countries work together, including Ukraine, climate, defence and the economy, Number 10 said.The spokeswoman added: “President Macron congratulated him on his appointment and the Prime Minister stressed the importance he places on the UK’s relationship with France – our neighbour and ally. The leaders agreed that there are a huge range of areas where UK-France co-operation is vital, including on Ukraine, climate, defence and the economy.”The Prime Minister and President Macron discussed a range of global issues, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They agreed on the importance of continuing to work in support of Ukraine. As people across Europe face a difficult winter, with rising energy costs resulting from Putin’s invasion, the leaders resolved to work together to secure a more stable energy future. This includes increasing co-operation on nuclear energy.DON’T MISSMigrants call Manston a ‘filthy prison’, people treated like ‘animals’ [INSIGHT]Putin making Ukraine ‘less inhabitable’ to spark migrant crisis [ANALYSIS]The twisted rants of the Dover migrant bomber [VIDEO] Provisional Government figures to date show 39,913 people have arrived in the UK (Image: Getty)”The Prime Minister and President Macron looked forward to meeting soon and to holding a UK-France summit next year.”It comes as The Times reported Mr Sunak wants a new cross-Channel deal with France to include targets for how many boats are stopped from reaching the UK to prevent the UK’s asylum system collapsing.Ministers and officials will review a draft deal that was reportedly close to being signed with France to make it more ambitious, Government sources told the newspaper.The plans are said to include a requirement for a minimum number of French police patrolling beaches at any one time and new internal targets for Home Office staff to process 80 percent of asylum claims within six months.