France's Macron says UK government 'doesn't do what it says'

Macron says migrants are attracted by British economic model that 'depends on illegal work by foreigners'

French President Emmanuel Macron on December 9 delivers a speech on France assuming the EU presidency. EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the UK to make it easier for people to apply for asylum and harder to work illegally, to stem dangerous migration across the English Channel.

Mr Macron accused the British government of reneging on promises over fishing licences and of betraying the countries' friendship by signing a secret submarine deal with the US and Australia, which ended a rival French contract.

The British government “doesn’t do what it says”, Mr Macron said, and the two countries “need to work together in good faith”, especially on migration.

Thousands of migrants have departed from the French coast in recent months in small, inflatable boats to try to reach Britain.

“Why are these women and men in these terrible conditions? Because they don’t want asylum in France,” Mr Macron said.

Migrants are brought ashore at Dungeness by RNLI Lifeboat members after crossing the Channel. Reuters

The past three years have seen a significant rise in attempted Channel crossings by migrants, despite the dangers. AFP

Migrants on board a Border Force rescue boat line up to disembark at Dover harbour after crossing the Channel. Reuters

A life jacket is left in the water after a group of more than 40 migrants got on an inflatable dinghy to leave the coast of northern France and cross the Channel. Reuters

Migrants are escorted by Border Force staff in Dungeness, after being brought ashore by an RNLI lifeboat. Reuters

A woman with a child is brought ashore safely. Reuters

Migrants walk along a British beach after being brought ashore by an RNLI lifeboat. Reuters

At least 27 migrants bound for Britain died on Wednesday when their boat sank in the English Channel. AP

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin speaks to the press in Calais, northern France, after the tragedy. AP

France's interior minister has called it the biggest tragedy involving migrants on the dangerous crossing to date. AP

A man wheels a gurney into a warehouse in Calais, where it is believed the bodies of migrants are being transported. PA

French police look at a map of the coast at Wimereux, in northern France. The stretch of beach is believed to be used by migrants aiming to cross the Channel. PA

A funeral van leaves the port of Calais. AFP

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought to Dover by the RNLI. PA

Britain and France have accused each other of not doing enough to prevent the deaths of at least 27 migrants whose boat sank last month off the coast of Calais.

Mr Macron urged the UK to provide easier ways for asylum seekers to make applications in Britain to quell the numbers of those willing to risk the trip across the Channel.

He said they were attracted to the UK's economic model that depends on illegal work by foreigners.

Mr Macron also said that France would decide with European Commission on Friday on the next steps in its fishing dispute with Britain.

French fishermen are angry at the British government for not granting more licences to fish in UK water after Brexit.

The fishing industry is economically tiny but symbolically important for both Britain and France.

“I like Great Britain. I like its people,” Mr Macron said. “I want terribly to have a government that wants to work simply in good faith.”