Brussels wants British taxpayers to help pay for its own Channel crackdown, according to a leaked EU draft of the joint statement being drawn up for the UK-EU summit on 20 November.

The document calls for a British financial contribution towards the EU’s Channel Action Plan, the scheme launched in June to smash people-smuggling gangs and step up border patrols. The demand would come on top of the £662 million Britain has already pledged to France to tackle illegal crossings.

The leaked line reads: “Given the shared nature of these challenges, effective implementation requires a joint effort, including, where appropriate, through a financial contribution by the UK.” No figure is named, and no cap is named either.

What the Channel Action Plan covers

The Channel Action Plan brings together France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands to go after the smuggling gangs, tighten border surveillance and get their border agencies working together. Brussels made clear from the outset that it wanted Britain to help foot the bill for joint operations, with the European Commission’s own plan saying a UK financial contribution “would meaningfully support our common efforts”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU leaders last month that a British contribution would be “important”. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner also travelled to London last month for talks on migration and border security with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

An analysis of the leaked draft by economist Catherine McBride, published by Briefings for Britain, identifies the Channel contribution as one of a string of uncosted financial commitments in the draft declaration, in a section dealing with coordinated action against migrant smuggling. McBride estimates the wider reset package could cost £17.6 billion in 2027, rising to £20.5 billion a year by the 2030s, plus £12 billion in one-off compliance costs.

Conservatives call it a “sell out”

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said it would be “shameful” for the Government to “hand over our hard earned money to the EU for nothing in return”, calling it “another sell out”. He said more than 23,000 people had already crossed the Channel this year.

The Government said it does not comment on leaks and that no payment has been agreed. A government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks or provide a running commentary on live negotiations. We are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy, protect British industry, and create more opportunities for young people across the UK.” UK officials are drawing up their own draft of the summit statement.

What else is on the summit agenda

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa in Brussels on 20 November for the second EU-UK summit. He is preparing to strike a new agreement with Brussels on food trade, energy and youth mobility, and has promised to set out options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the EU, having said he would like the UK to rejoin in his lifetime.

The £662 million pledged to France was agreed in April and covers three years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29. The leaked draft remains the EU’s negotiating position, and ministers have yet to agree to any payment. The Sun first reported the leaked Channel demand, and Briefings for Britain has published an analysis of the wider leaked draft.