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The UK-French initiative known as the “one-in, one-out” pilot program has been implemented to address the issue of small boats crossing the Channel, with the detention of illegal migrants set to begin shortly. As part of the agreement, individuals arriving in the UK via small boats may be detained and sent back to France. In return, the UK will accept an equal number of asylum seekers from France, provided they have not previously attempted the crossing and meet security and eligibility criteria. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the plan as a result of extensive diplomatic efforts and expressed confidence in its ability to yield tangible outcomes. However, the Conservative Party dismissed it as ineffective.
The agreement between Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron was revealed in July, but it required approval from the European Commission and EU member states. The UK government has since confirmed that the innovative approach has received the green light from the EU Commission, Germany, and other member states, allowing the program to move forward. Under the initiative, adult migrants trying to reach the UK via the Channel could be returned to France if their asylum claim is deemed inadmissible. The process of returns is anticipated to commence in the coming weeks.
While the government has not disclosed the exact number of migrants to be returned and accepted under the scheme, it indicated a commitment to increasing the pace and scale of returns throughout the pilot program. Reports suggest that around 50 individuals per week could be sent back, in contrast to the current weekly average of over 800 people making the journey. Sir Keir acknowledged that the pilot is not a comprehensive solution but believes it will serve as a deterrent, especially given the significant increase in Channel crossings this year. By the end of July, more than 25,000 individuals had crossed the Channel in small boats, representing a 49% surge compared to the same period in 2024.
The government faces pressure to curb the influx of migrants and fulfill its pledge to dismantle the criminal networks facilitating these journeys. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed the agreement as a milestone achievement, emphasizing its role in undermining the operations of organized crime groups. She stressed the importance of legal and managed pathways for asylum seekers, denouncing unsafe and unlawful routes. In a bid to address the issue, the government announced a £100m allocation to deploy 300 National Crime Agency Officers to combat human smugglers orchestrating the crossings and to tackle illegal employment practices that attract migrants to the UK. Meanwhile, Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized the efficacy of the UK-French arrangement compared to the previously proposed Rwanda plan, contending that the government’s actions have exacerbated the situation, resulting in record-high illegal crossings. Asylum Matters, a charity, has also voiced concerns, advocating for the establishment of safe avenues for individuals seeking refuge as a means to discourage perilous journeys
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