The UK government has reached a significant milestone in its immigration policy, with more than 100 migrants now returned to France under the controversial 'one in, one out' scheme.
Deportation Figures and Government Response
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has hailed what she describes as a 'milestone' achievement, revealing that 113 people who arrived in the UK by small boat have been deported over the past two months. The returns began on September 18, with 13 flights having taken off so far and more scheduled in the coming weeks.
In a statement that sends a clear message to potential migrants, Mahmood declared: 'If you enter the UK illegally, we will remove you as quickly as possible.' She emphasised the government's determination to 'ramp up action' against what she termed 'unacceptable crossings' and remove those with no right to remain in Britain.
How the Agreement Works
The UK-France returns deal, announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron during the summer, operates on a reciprocal basis. While 113 migrants have been returned to France, 84 individuals have arrived in Britain through legal routes in exchange.
Migration Minister Mike Tapp explained that those arriving legally under the scheme come from countries including Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Syria. These individuals undergo assessment by French officials to verify their asylum claims before being transferred to the British asylum system for further evaluation.
Tapp described the current returns as representing the 'early stages of a pilot scheme' that will expand as legal complexities are resolved. He stressed that the policy aims to create doubt among potential migrants considering paying up to £10,000 for dangerous Channel crossings.
Challenges and Repeat Crossings
Despite the government's claims of success, the scheme faces significant challenges. Since the first deportation on September 18, more than 8,000 people have arrived in the UK via small boats, meaning only approximately 0.6% of arrivals have been returned under the agreement.
The policy has also encountered high-profile cases of migrants attempting to return after deportation. Two individuals have made second crossings after being returned to France, including one man deported on October 16 who successfully reached UK shores again on November 9.
Mahmood addressed these cases directly, stating that both individuals were 'detected by biometrics' and processed rapidly. One has already been returned to France for a second time, while the other faces imminent removal.
Political Reactions and Future Plans
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp offered scathing criticism of the scheme's effectiveness, noting that the small percentage of returns means 'no one can call that a deterrent with a straight face.' He accused the government of lacking the 'backbone to stop illegal immigration'.
Meanwhile, the Home Office is preparing to announce what it describes as the 'most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times'. Reports suggest Mahmood will draw inspiration from Denmark's asylum model, which turns away approximately 95% of applicants.
Minister Tapp hinted at forthcoming changes, indicating the government will examine the European Convention on Human Rights and modern slavery laws to make Britain 'less attractive' to migrants and simplify deportation processes.
As the debate continues, the government maintains that the returns scheme represents a crucial step toward securing Britain's borders, while critics question whether the numbers justify the policy's ambitious claims of creating an effective deterrent.
