The UK and France are in discussions over a proposed pilot scheme to return illegal migrants who cross the Channel in small boats. In exchange, the UK would accept legal migrants seeking
family reunification.
France’s interior ministry described the plan as a "one-for-one principle": for every legal migrant admitted to the UK, an undocumented migrant would be returned to France. The aim is to disrupt smuggling networks and discourage illegal crossings.
The talks, first reported by the Financial Times, come amid rising Channel crossings and political pressure over immigration policies. UK Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood confirmed ongoing discussions with France but did not comment on specific plans for removals.
Peter Walsh of the Migration Observatory noted that the success of the scheme in deterring crossings would depend on how many migrants the UK returns to France. "In the short term, it won’t reduce the number of asylum seekers we take in," he said.
So far in 2025, 8,888 migrants have arrived in the UK via small boats — a 42% increase compared to the same period last year. On Tuesday alone, 705 people crossed in 12 boats, marking the highest daily figure this year.
The previous Conservative government allocated nearly £500 million over three years to help France increase patrols and prevent crossings. Labour, after coming into power, scrapped the controversial Rwanda deportation plan, which the Conservatives had argued was a deterrent to illegal migration.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized Labour’s approach, saying it lacked sufficient deterrents. Reform UK MP Lee Anderson also voiced opposition, calling instead for stronger border controls rather than return agreements.
In contrast, the Liberal Democrats welcomed the idea of a migrant return deal, calling it “a positive step” and criticizing past Conservative inaction. The Green Party has yet to comment.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously signaled interest in a broader EU-wide returns agreement, but no such deal has been secured. Any Europe-wide arrangement could face resistance from nations like Hungary, known for hardline immigration policies.
The UK government continues to focus on breaking up people-smuggling operations, introducing new laws this year including a five-year jail sentence for endangering lives at sea. Ministers stress that no single solution will solve the migration crisis, and the France deal is just one option under consideration.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "The prime minister and home secretary have been clear that close UK-France cooperation is essential. We are stepping up joint efforts to disrupt criminal gangs and stop dangerous crossings." Photo by tiger rus, Wikimedia commons.