A new treaty between the UK and France aimed at tackling illegal small boat crossings has come into force this week.
The agreement allows anyone arriving in the UK on a small boat to be detained immediately and returned to France. Under the ‘one-in, one-out’ pilot scheme, an equal number of migrants will be allowed to come to the UK through a new legal route, provided they have not attempted an illegal crossing before and pass full documentation, security and eligibility checks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This government has been fixing the foundations of the broken asylum system we inherited and today we send a clear message – if you come here illegally on a small boat you will face being sent back to France.
“This is the product of months of grown-up diplomacy delivering real results for British people as we broker deals no government has been able to achieve and strike at the heart of these vile gangs’ business model.
“The days of gimmicks and broken promises are over – we will restore order to our borders with the seriousness and competence the British people deserve.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For the first time, under this groundbreaking new treaty, people who undertake illegal, dangerous journeys to the UK – putting lives at risk and fuelling organised crime – can be returned to France. In return, we will take people who apply legally with appropriate documentation to be transferred to the UK, subject to clear eligibility criteria and stringent security checks.
“This is an important step towards undermining the business model of the organised crime gangs that are behind these crossings – undermining their claims that those who travel to the UK illegally can’t be returned to France. Now, as part of our Plan for Change, they can be.”
The pilot scheme will run until June 2026, with both countries reviewing and improving the process during that time. The government says it has returned more than 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK in its first year in office, alongside a rise in enforcement raids.
French authorities are also stepping up operations to stop crossings and arrest those involved in people smuggling.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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