Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron agree to scale up action on small boats - BBC News BBC Homepage Skip to content Accessibility Help Your account Home News Sport Earth Reel Worklife Travel Culture Future Music TV Weather Sounds More menu More menu Search BBC Home News Sport Earth Reel Worklife Travel Culture Future Music TV Weather Sounds Close menu BBC News Menu Home Climate World UK Business Tech Science Entertainment & Arts Health In Pictures More BBC Verify Newsbeat World Africa Asia Australia Europe Latin America Middle East US & Canada Burnham and Macron agree to scale up action on small boats To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Watch: Andy Burnham and Emmanuel Macron shake hands outside No 10 By Ewan Somerville , Political reporter  and  Nick Eardley , Political correspondent Published 3 September 2026 Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed how to "scale up" efforts to tackle illegal migration and move the UK closer to Europe, as the new prime minister hosted his first foreign leader in Downing Street. In an official readout of their meeting, No 10 said the pair also discussed production of long-range missiles in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the prime minister raised Israeli plans for new settlements in the West Bank , which he condemned as "unacceptable". Burnham said it was "so fitting" that Macron was his first overseas visitor since becoming PM in July, describing him as "our nearest neighbour and close friend Emmanuel". "It shows what collaboration can achieve, just as we are also showing on Ukraine, on small boats, and also on strengthening the UK-EU relationship," Burnham added. Image source, PA Wire Image caption, Macron and Burnham held talks on a range of issues Macron said: "This is a very strong relationship. For me it is extremely important, and I'm here with willingness and a commitment to get closer." The French leader's visit to the UK was primarily