The United Kingdom is poised to initiate a pilot program that will see migrants arriving via small boats returned to France within a matter of weeks, according to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Under the proposed “one in, one out” arrangement, a select number of migrants will be repatriated to France, with the UK concurrently accepting an equivalent number of asylum seekers, contingent upon successful security screenings.
Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the conclusion of a three-day state visit, the Prime Minister stated that the initiative aims to demonstrate the futility of attempting to cross the English Channel in small vessels.
While reports suggest the scheme could involve the return of up to 50 individuals per week, Sir Keir refrained from confirming specific figures.
He characterized the “ground-breaking” plan as a measure to “break the model” employed by human smugglers and indicated that it would be scaled up if proven successful.
Sir Keir emphasized that illegal migration constitutes “a global crisis, an EU crisis, and a crisis for our two nations.”
Since 2018, when records began, over 170,000 individuals have reached the UK via small boats. This year has witnessed record arrivals, with nearly 20,000 people making the crossing in the first six months of 2025.
President Macron expressed his belief that the program would have a “deterrent effect” that extends beyond the number of individuals returned.
He further suggested that Brexit has complicated the UK’s efforts to address illegal migration, asserting that the British public was “sold a lie… which is that the problem was Europe.”
During the press conference, the two leaders also outlined several areas of collaboration between their nations:
Specific details of the small boats agreement, including the criteria for selecting individuals to be returned to France, remain unclear, although it is understood that the pilot program will initially focus on adults.
Individuals residing in France who wish to seek asylum in the UK will be able to register their interest via an online platform.
Priority will be given to those originating from countries with high rates of human smuggling, as well as individuals with existing connections to the UK.
In a statement released following the press conference, the government affirmed that the agreement would be signed “subject to completing prior legal scrutiny in full transparency and understanding with the Commission and EU Member states.”
Other EU member states, such as Spain and Italy, may have concerns that returned migrants could subsequently be transferred to their territories. Under EU regulations, individuals returned to France would be required to seek asylum in the first European country they entered, often countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Sir Keir acknowledged that there is “no silver bullet here, but with a united effort, new tactics, and a new level of intent, we can finally turn the tables.”
In addition to the returns pilot, he pledged “a crackdown” on illegal employment, aimed at eliminating the job opportunities promised to migrants by traffickers.
The government has indicated its intention to target illegal working hotspots, such as delivery riders.
President Macron stated that the two nations would “intensify joint action” in the countries of origin and transit.
Announcing the pilot, Sir Keir said: “I know some people will still ask, why should we take anyone in – so let me address that directly.
“We accept genuine asylum seekers because it is right that we offer a haven to those in most dire need.
“But there is also something else, something more practical which is that we simply cannot solve a challenge like stopping the boats by acting alone and telling our allies that we won’t play ball.”
Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp argued that the agreement would “only return one in every 17 illegal immigrants arriving.”
“Allowing 94% of illegal immigrants to stay will make no difference whatsoever and have no deterrent effect.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the crossings as “a national security emergency.”
“Frankly the French owe us our money back,” he added, referencing payments made by the UK to support French policing efforts.
He expressed skepticism about the pilot’s effectiveness, stating: “If we even try to deport people across the Channel, we will run straight into the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The charity Asylum Matters commented: “We don’t need another expensive, ineffective, dangerous Rwanda-style gimmick.
“It’s incredibly simple: the only way to stop people from making dangerous journeys is to give them real safe routes to seek sanctuary.”
Both the Labour and previous Conservative governments have faced challenges in curbing the number of migrants arriving in the UK via small boats.
The Conservatives had proposed sending arrivals to Rwanda, but the scheme was delayed by legal challenges. The general election was called before it could be implemented.
One of Sir Keir’s first acts as prime minister was to scrap the plan, calling it a gimmick.
He stated that his government would instead focus on dismantling the smuggling networks responsible for organizing the crossings.
Sir Keir Starmer has promised to “smash the gangs” which smuggle people across the English Channel.
Details aside, the agreement is likely to encounter legal, political and practical obstacles.
How much attention did you pay to what’s being going on in the world over the past seven days?
The number of people arriving in the UK by small boat crossings have reached record levels this year – but why do migrants choose here?
The “one-in-one-out” deal with France to be announced later will have to deter people from getting in small boats.