Key Takeaways
• UK and France agree on ‘one in, one out’ migrant return pilot with 50 weekly returns to France.
• Over 21,000 migrants crossed the Channel in 2025, highest ever recorded this early in the year.
• New border security commands and French early interventions aim to disrupt traffickers and deter crossings.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have reached a new agreement to address the record number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. On July 10, 2025, during a summit in London, both leaders agreed on the urgent need for a fresh migrant deterrent to tackle the ongoing crisis. This move comes as over 21,000 people have already made the dangerous journey across the Channel this year, setting a new record and putting pressure on both governments to act quickly.
A New Approach: The “One In, One Out” Migrant Return Deal
The most important part of the new agreement is a pilot “one in, one out” migrant return scheme. Under this plan, the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 will accept migrants who have clear links to Britain, such as family members or previous residence. In exchange, the UK will return other migrants who crossed the Channel back to France 🇫🇷. The plan will start with about 50 migrants being returned to France each week. While this number is small compared to the thousands arriving, both leaders see it as a first step toward a more effective migrant deterrent.
The UK government says this scheme is meant to break the business model of criminal gangs who profit from smuggling people across the Channel. By making it harder for migrants to stay in the UK after crossing, officials hope to discourage others from trying the risky journey. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the success of this plan will depend on whether it can be expanded to cover more people and whether it truly stops the traffickers.
How the New Policy Will Work
- Pilot Scheme: The “one in, one out” deal will begin with 50 returns per week, focusing on those who do not have strong ties to the UK.
- Migrant Selection: The UK will accept migrants with established links, such as family or previous legal residence, while returning others.
- Operational Changes: French police have started intervening earlier, even in shallow waters, to stop boats from leaving. Recent footage showed French officers puncturing a dinghy before it could set off.
- UK Border Security: The UK has set up a new border security command and is preparing new laws to support these efforts.
Key Figures and Official Statements
Several top officials are involved in shaping and carrying out this new policy:
- Keir Starmer: The UK Prime Minister has made tackling illegal Channel crossings a top priority. He says the new deal shows a “new level of intent” and a willingness to try new tactics.
- Emmanuel Macron: The French President has promised to work closely with the UK and other European countries. He stresses the need to stop traffickers and to work with countries where migrants first enter Europe.
- Yvette Cooper: The UK Home Secretary is leading the government’s efforts to put the new plan into action.
- John Healey: The UK Defence Secretary admits progress has been slow but points out that 12,000 crossings have been stopped and 30,000 people have been deported so far in 2025.
Macron said after the summit, “We must work together to stop the exploitation of vulnerable people by criminal gangs. This agreement is a step toward better cooperation between our countries.”
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
- Over 21,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025, the highest number ever recorded at this point in the year.
- The pilot return rate of 50 migrants per week is only a small fraction of total arrivals—about one in every 17 people who make the journey.
- Since Brexit, the UK has only managed to return about 400 small boat arrivals to the European Union between 2018 and 2024.
These numbers show the scale of the challenge facing both governments. Even with the new plan, most migrants who cross the Channel will not be returned under the current rules.
Background: Why Is This Happening Now?
The UK and France have a long history of working together on migration. In the past, the UK has given money to France to help pay for border security, including a £476 million commitment from 2023 to 2026. These funds have been used for more police, better surveillance, and stronger fences along the French coast.
However, the UK’s ability to return asylum seekers to Europe has been limited since leaving the European Union. Before Brexit, the UK could send some migrants back to the first EU country they entered under the Dublin Regulation. Now, without a similar agreement, returns have dropped sharply.
The new deal between Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron is seen as a possible first step toward a broader agreement with the EU. If the pilot is successful, it could lead to more returns and closer cooperation with other European countries.
What Experts Are Saying
Migration policy experts have mixed views on the new plan:
- Some say the deterrent effect will only work if the number of returns increases. A small pilot is unlikely to stop most migrants from trying to cross.
- Critics argue the deal is mostly symbolic and does not address the root causes of migration, such as war, poverty, or family reunification.
- Supporters believe the renewed cooperation between the UK and France is important and could lead to bigger changes in the future.
Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said, “The scale of the pilot is too small to have a big impact on crossings. But it could be a foundation for a wider deal with the EU if both sides are willing.”
How Does This Affect Migrants?
For most migrants, the immediate impact of the new plan is limited. Only a small number will be returned to France under the current rules. Many will still try to cross the Channel, hoping to reach family or find work in the UK.
However, the new tactics by French police—such as stopping boats before they leave—could make the journey even more dangerous. Migrants may turn to riskier routes or pay higher fees to smugglers who promise to get them across.
Some charities warn that tougher enforcement could push migrants into hiding or force them to take greater risks. They call for more safe and legal routes for people who need protection.
What Does This Mean for the UK and France?
For the UK government, the agreement is a chance to show it is taking action on a problem that has dominated headlines and political debates. Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure from both the public and Parliament to reduce the number of small boat arrivals.
For France, the deal means more cooperation with the UK and possibly more resources to police its coastline. President Emmanuel Macron has made it clear that France cannot solve the problem alone and needs help from both the UK and other European countries.
Both governments hope the new plan will send a message to migrants and traffickers that the route across the Channel is not open. But they also know that real change will take time and may require even closer cooperation with the European Union.
Looking Ahead: What Happens Next?
The pilot scheme will be closely watched over the coming months. Both the UK and France have said they are open to expanding the arrangement if it proves effective. This could mean returning more migrants each week or including other European countries in the deal.
Negotiations with the EU are likely to continue, especially if the UK wants access to EU asylum databases or more flexible transfer arrangements. Some officials hope the pilot will lead to a new agreement that allows for faster and easier returns of migrants who do not qualify for asylum.
The UK government is also preparing new laws to support the plan and to give border officials more power to stop illegal crossings. More details are expected soon, and the public will be watching to see if the new approach delivers real results.
Possible Solutions and Next Steps
While the new agreement is a start, experts and charities say more needs to be done to address the crisis:
- Expand Safe and Legal Routes: Creating more ways for people to apply for asylum without making dangerous journeys could reduce the number of small boat crossings.
- Tackle Smuggling Networks: Both countries need to keep working together to arrest and prosecute the criminal gangs who profit from trafficking.
- Work with Other Countries: Cooperation with the EU and countries where migrants first arrive in Europe is key to managing the flow of people.
- Support for Migrants: Providing support and information to migrants about their rights and options can help prevent exploitation and reduce risky journeys.
Official Resources for More Information
Readers who want to learn more about the UK’s migration policies and the latest updates can visit the UK Home Office immigration policy page. This site provides official information on current laws, new legislation, and operational changes.
For those interested in the French side of the agreement, the French Ministry of the Interior offers updates on border enforcement and migration cooperation.
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford is another trusted source for expert analysis and data on UK-France and UK-EU migration cooperation.
Conclusion: A New Phase in UK-France Migration Policy
The agreement between Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron marks a new phase in the ongoing effort to manage migration across the English Channel. While the pilot “one in, one out” scheme is small in scale, it signals a renewed commitment to cooperation and a willingness to try new approaches.
The real test will be whether the plan can be expanded and whether it truly acts as a migrant deterrent. For now, the impact on migrants is limited, but the agreement could pave the way for broader changes in how the UK, France, and the European Union work together on asylum and migration.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the effectiveness of the new policy will depend on its scale and enforcement, as well as the willingness of both governments to keep working together. For migrants, the journey remains risky and uncertain, but for policymakers, the agreement is a step toward finding long-term solutions to a complex and pressing problem.
Key Takeaways for Readers:
- The UK and France have agreed to a new pilot scheme to return some migrants who cross the Channel, starting with 50 returns per week.
- The plan is designed to act as a migrant deterrent and to break the business model of traffickers.
- The agreement is small in scale but could lead to broader cooperation with the EU if successful.
- Migrants will see little immediate change, but the policy could shape future migration rules in the region.
- Readers can stay informed by checking official government resources and following updates as the situation develops.
By staying aware of these changes, individuals, families, and communities affected by migration can better understand their options and the steps being taken by governments to address this ongoing challenge.
Learn Today
Migrant return scheme → A plan to send some migrants back to their previous country to manage migration flows.
Channel crossings → Journeys migrants take across the English Channel in small boats to reach the UK.
Traffickers → Criminal groups profiting from smuggling migrants illegally across borders or waters.
Pilot scheme → A trial program designed to test a new policy before wider implementation.
Border security command → A government unit focused on protecting borders and managing migration enforcement.
This Article in a Nutshell
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Macron launch a pilot migrant return scheme targeting 50 returns weekly to disrupt trafficking networks and manage record Channel crossings in 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
