United Kingdom–France one in, one out plan

The United Kingdom (Green) and France (Orange)

The United Kingdom–France one in, one out plan that began in August 2025, was a new agreement between the United Kingdom and France aimed to reduce migrants crossing the English Channel. The plan states that migrants that arrive illegally by small boats to the UK, can be sent back to France. In return the UK will take the same number of migrants from France, only if they have not tried to cross the Channel before and pass security and eligibility checks.

Overview

Cross Channel migration has been a major problem for both the United Kingdom and France in recent years. Up to August 2025 over 20,000 migrants have arrived to the UK in small boats, an increase of over 50% compared to 2024.[1][2] The agreement, announced in July 2025 by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, is part of a larger plan by the Labour government to replace the cancelled Rwanda asylum plan[3][4] and strengthen border security, while also providing safe and controlled ways for people to come to the UK, its first test phase includes 50 migrants per week.[5][6][7]

Method of operation

The formal agreement was approved by both governments early in August 2025 with support of the European Commission and other EU countries.[8][4] The plan's first phase permits the UK to send back about 50 undocumented migrants per week, with no family ties, that arrived in small boats. In return it will take in 50 asylum seekers from France, who either has proven family in the UK or comes from a country with a high chance of getting asylum, like Afghanistan or Iran. If the first phase is successful, the numbers will increase.[7][9][10]

Reception

The plan has received mixed reactions. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and some experts said it could be a sign of better cooperation between the UK and the EU, but they also pointed out that its impact may be small because only a limited number of people—about 50 per week—are involved.[11][1] Some UK opposition leaders, including members of the Conservative Party, say the plan deals with only a small part of the issue, as more than 25,000 people are expected to arrive by small boats in 2025.[4][12] They have called for stronger actions, like bringing back the Rwanda asylum plan. The Home Secretary has refused to share exact targets, saying that doing so could help smugglers change their methods.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "U.K. and France agree to swap migrants in 'one in, one out' deal". The Washington Post. 10 July 2025. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  2. ^ Sparrow, Andrew (5 August 2025). "Support for hardline anti-immigration policies linked to ignorance about migration figures, poll suggests – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  3. ^ Dathan, Matt (4 August 2025). "Labour 'must stop 8 in 10 migrant crossings' to break smuggling model". The Times. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "UK to start returning some migrants to France within days under new deal". CNN. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  5. ^ Smout, Alistair (5 August 2025). "UK to start implementing migrant returns deal with France within days". Reuters. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  6. ^ "People crossing the English Channel in small boats". Migration Observatory. Archived from the original on 26 July 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  7. ^ a b "UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  8. ^ View, The Times (10 July 2025). "Macron's state visit was about much more than Channel crossings". The Times. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  9. ^ "U.K. and France set to ratify 'one in, one out' boat migrant returns deal". The Japan Times. 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Yvette Cooper admits 'no specified' number of migrants to be returned under UK-France deal". 2025.
  11. ^ "Britain hopes a crackdown on people-smugglers' social media ads will help curb Channel crossings". AP News. 3 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  12. ^ Smout, Alistair (5 August 2025). "UK to start implementing migrant returns deal with France within days". Reuters. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  13. ^ Dathan, Matt (2025). "Minister refuses to say how many migrants will be returned in French deal". The Times. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
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