Home secretary Yvette Cooper has confirmed there is 'no specified number' of migrants set to be returned under the UK-France 'one in, one out' agreement, now in effect. The scheme enables the UK to return illegal Channel-crossers to France while accepting an equal number of vetted asylum seekers with ties to Britain. Though early estimates suggest around 50 returns per week, this is modest compared to the 800 weekly arrivals this year. Critics argue that the plan addresses only a small portion of illegal arrivals and lacks true deterrence. The treaty was agreed between Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron following months of negotiations. The Home Office has pledged £100 million to support enforcement, fund 300 new National Crime Agency officers, and bolster anti-smuggling technology. Migrants returned to France cannot reapply via the legal route. The treaty remains active until 2026, with ongoing reviews planned. See
Channel migrants: ‘no specified number’ to be returned to France
Written by David Fletcher 07 Aug 2025
Additional Info
- Pray: for a compassionate yet effective immigration policy that balances justice, mercy, and national security. (Psalm 146:9a)
- More: www.itv.com/news/2025-08-04/detentions-expected-in-days-as-uk-france-migrant-deal-comes-into-force