Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have agreed a pilot “one in, one out” scheme for migrants who cross the Channel in small boats.
On the third and final day of the Anglo-French summit in the UK, the British prime minister and French president announced a trial of the scheme that will allow small boat migrants to be sent back to France.
In return, Britain would accept the same number of asylum seekers – who try to come to the UK by a safe route – as those who are returned to France.
Speaking next to Emmanuel Macron at a news conference in north west London, Sir Keir Starmer said it would come into force in a matter of “weeks”.
“Migrants arriving via small boat will be detained and returned to France in short order,” he said.
“In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here via a safe route – controlled and legal – subject to strict security checks, and only open to those who have not tried to enter the UK illegally.”
The prime minister said the arrangement would begin as a “pilot”, with reports suggesting that just 50 people per week will be sent to France back across the Channel.
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The announcement of the deal comes as part of Mr Macron’s high-stakes state visit to the UK – the first of a European leader since Brexit.
Both leaders have described the Channel crossings as a mutual burden and crisis that must be tackled with co-operation.
Hailing their partnership, Sir Keir said that while there was “no silver bullet” to tackle the issue, the pair could “finally turn the tables” with “a united effort, new tactics and a new level of intent”.
He said the new deal would show people that attempting to cross the Channel in small boats would be “in vain”, adding: “The jobs they have been promised in the UK will no longer exist because of the nationwide crackdown we’re delivering on illegal working which is on a completely unprecedented scale.
“The president and I have agreed that this pilot will be implemented in the coming weeks.”
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