What's happened
On August 7, 2025, the UK started detaining migrants arriving by small boats under a new "one in, one out" pilot scheme with France. Selected migrants are held in immigration removal centres pending return to France within three weeks. In exchange, the UK accepts an equal number of asylum seekers from France via a legal route. The deal aims to curb record Channel crossings and disrupt smuggling networks.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
The "one in, one out" pilot scheme marks a significant shift in UK immigration enforcement, enabling the return of some migrants arriving illegally by small boats to France for the first time since Brexit. This move is designed to disrupt the business model of organised crime gangs profiting from dangerous Channel crossings. However, the scheme currently applies to a limited number of migrants—around 50 per week initially—far fewer than the tens of thousands arriving annually, limiting its immediate impact.
The reciprocal arrangement, allowing an equal number of asylum seekers with UK ties to enter legally from France, attempts to balance border control with humanitarian obligations. Yet, stringent eligibility criteria, including the need for official documents, may exclude vulnerable groups such as Eritreans, who form a large proportion of arrivals but often lack passports.
Politically, the deal serves as a response to domestic pressure on the Labour government, which faces criticism over border control and rising migrant numbers. It also counters the narrative of hard-right parties like Reform UK, which argue the measures do not go far enough.
The government’s £100 million investment in law enforcement and border security technology underscores a broader strategy to target smuggling networks and illegal routes, including new offences for promoting dangerous crossings on social media.
Looking ahead, the pilot’s success depends on scaling returns, overcoming legal challenges, and ensuring cooperation with France. While it sets a precedent, the scheme alone will not resolve the complex migration pressures facing the UK but represents a tactical step in a long-term border management strategy.
What the papers say
The Guardian's Rajeev Syal provides a detailed account of the scheme's operational mechanics and legal complexities, noting that "detentions began on Wednesday lunchtime" and that the UK aims to return migrants within three weeks. He highlights concerns from refugee charities about exclusions due to documentation requirements, especially for Eritrean nationals, who "are the top nationality crossing the Channel in 2025."
The Independent and AP News echo the Home Office's framing of the deal as a "major breakthrough," quoting Home Secretary Yvette Cooper: "That sends a message to every migrant currently thinking of paying organised crime gangs to go to the UK that they will be risking their lives and throwing away their money if they get into a small boat."
The Mirror emphasizes the political context, quoting Labour figures like Baroness Smith describing the numbers as "unacceptable" and the government’s efforts to deter crossings through increased enforcement and legal measures.
Critics, including Amnesty International as cited by The Mirror, argue the deal treats refugees like parcels and may perpetuate dangerous smuggling routes, while Reform UK contends the measures do not sufficiently secure borders.
Together, these sources illustrate a story of cautious optimism from government officials about the deal's potential, tempered by legal, humanitarian, and political challenges that complicate its implementation and effectiveness.
How we got here
The UK and France agreed a "one in, one out" pilot scheme in July 2025 to address record numbers of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats. The deal allows the UK to return some migrants to France if their asylum claims are inadmissible, while accepting an equal number of asylum seekers from France through a legal route. The EU Commission approved the treaty, which aims to dismantle smuggling networks and reduce illegal crossings.
Go deeper
- How does the 'one in, one out' scheme work in practice?
- What legal challenges could migrants face under this deal?
- How will this deal affect migrant smuggling networks?
Common question
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UK-France Border Deal: What’s Behind the New Migrant Returns Scheme?
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