Germany is set to tighten its laws regarding people-smuggling to the UK as part of a new agreement with the UK government. The agreement mandates making the facilitation of migrant-smuggling a clear criminal offence in Germany. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the pact as ‘ground-breaking’ aimed at combating criminal gangs involved in small boat crossings. More than 33,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel by small boat this year, highlighting the urgent need for legal and operational cooperation between the two nations.