Emmanuel Macron has urged the UK to reduce the factors that make the country so appealing to illegal migrants. The French president is currently in the UK on a three-day state visit after touching down at RAF Northolt yesterday morning with his wife Brigette.

Migration was an issue high on the agenda for the two countries as both seek to counter huge flows of migrants coming through France before making the perilous journey across the English Channel. Speaking in Westminster, Macron said yesterday: “France and the United Kingdom have a shared responsibility to address irregular migration with humanity, solidarity and fairness. We will only arrive at a lasting and effective solution with action at the European level by addressing migration pull factors.

“But let’s be clear we will deliver together, as this is a clear issue for our countries.”

Channel crossings are at record highs so far this year, with more than 20,000 people having made the perilous journey already, representing the highest numbers since 2018.

Such “pull factors” include the ease with which migrants can obtain irregular, cash in hand work in the UK and access welfare payments, according to a source within the French delegation.

They told the Telegraph that Macron expected the measures to address “the root causes of the factors that attract people to the United Kingdom.”

The ease with which migrants can obtain illegal work in the UK has seen it dubbed “El Dorado”, a land of riches, by some within the French camp.

As well as addressing pull factors, Macron is keen for the UK to limit access to welfare payments for those successfully granted asylum to reduce the motivation for travelling in the first place.

Additionally, he has called on Britain to accept one genuine asylum seeker from France who wants to rejoin a family member in Britain in exchange for each illegal migrant France takes back.

It is hoped that by increasing the means by which migrants can apply for leave to remain legally, the appeal of dangerous, illegal crossings will diminish.

The demands came as the French leader enjoyed the first day of his state visit, the first by a European leader since Brexit.

After touching down at RAF Northolt to be met by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Macron addressed parliament before attending a state banquet held at Windsor Castle hosted by the King.