Can more money really change the French approach to small boats?

sir – What a surprise: Emmanuel Macron wants more funding from Britain if France is to stop small boats crossing the Channel (report, March 9).

What incentives do the French have for preventing these crossings? None. President Macron has taken us for fools, and we should not give him more money. Any extra funds should be spent on targeting the many people smugglers who operate in Britain. Steven Hope Droitwich, Worcestershire sir – The French receive money from Britain to curtail Channel crossings, and the migrants still cross illegally.

Britain should charge France for the accommodation that has to be found for those who do land on our shores. Jennifer Hill

Haslemere, Surrey

sir – Damian Green MP says the Government is doing the right thing on immigration, and that its plan will encourage genuine asylum seekers.

Speaking from personal experience,

I believe this to be deceitful. With the exception of the successful Homes for Ukraine scheme, it is virtually impossible to claim asylum in the UK through official channels. I have a very good Afghan friend who was blinded by the Taliban while working for the British Forces. Because of his association with the “infidels”, his family are in hiding and fear for their lives, unable to work or go out in public. We have been applying for 18 months for them to be relocated here under the Afghanistan scheme.

In contrast, we have had a Ukrainian woman living with us for the past six months. It took a mere 12 hours for her visa to be granted, and once she arrived she was given a host of rights and privileges. That is great, of course, but what about all the other poor souls? I have no faith in this country’s asylum system. While the Government claims that we have a “proud history of welcoming those in need”, I am sad to say that this is no longer true.

David Huggon Wivenhoe, Essex sir – Whether or not Gary Lineker is sacked by the BBC for his remarks on the Government’s plan (Letters, March 9), it is important to highlight the ignorance of his reference to 1930s Germany.

In 1930s Germany, Jews were actively persecuted by the state – removed from the professions and barred from public places. Their property was seized and they were publicly attacked. This led to eventual deportation and death.

The British Government’s policy aims to dissuade illegal entrants from undertaking a perilous journey. There is no discrimination against any particular group.

Mr Lineker needs a history lesson. Andrew Kingston

Lyme Regis, Dorset

sir – As agnostic Britain has given up Lent, might it instead be time to give up crisps for as long as Gary Lineker stays at the BBC?

Canon Keith Punshon Thirsk, North Yorkshire