The UK and Germany have agreed on a plan to create a direct rail link between London and Berlin as part of a new treaty aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.
As part of the Kensington Treaty, which includes agreements on school exchange visits and tightening laws around people smuggling gangs, the deal will also make it easier for German authorities to investigate and act against warehouses used by smugglers to conceal small boats intended for Channel crossings.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the rail link could offer an alternative to flying within the next decade, promising a faster, more convenient, and greener option for millions of people traveling between the UK and Germany.
The deal also includes plans to re-set trade and business relations between the two countries, with commercial investments worth over £200m expected to create over 600 new jobs. A new UK-Germany Business Forum has been established, while a joint taskforce will be established for transport experts from both governments to examine how to establish necessary border and security controls.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the pact as “evidence of the closeness of our relationship” and “a statement of intent,” highlighting his commitment to making facilitation of illegal migration to the UK a criminal offence by the end of the year. The agreement comes ahead of increased pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to tackle the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats, with over 21,000 making the journey so far this year.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq6m10g7e35o