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United Kingdom–France one in, one out plan

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The United Kingdom (Green) and France (Orange)

The United Kingdom–France one in, one out plan is an agreement between the United Kingdom and France aimed at reducing unauthorized migration across the English Channel into the United Kingdom. Formalized in August 2025, 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

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Cross Channel migration has been a major problem for both the United Kingdom and France in recent years. As of 10 September 2025, the Home Office has detected 182,165 migrants who have crossed the English Channel in small boats since 2018.[1][2] Crossing the Channel without permission is a criminal offence under UK law, as is to attempt to use a dangerous type of vessel or any unregistered craft under French law.[3] The plan was part of a larger plan by the Labour government to replace the cancelled Rwanda asylum plan[4][5] and strengthen border security, while also providing safe and controlled ways for people to come to the UK, with first test phases of 50 migrants per week.[6][7][8] The 'one in, one out' migrant agreement was announced on 10 July 2025, by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, with Starmer stating that the deal would begin within weeks.[9] In early September 2025, it was reported that 3,567 people had arrived on the UK's shores since the deal with France was ratified in August, however returns had not yet commenced.[10]

Method of operation

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The formal agreement was approved by both governments early in August 2025 with support of the European Commission and other EU countries.[11][5] 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.[8][12][13]

Reception

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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.[14][15] 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.[5][16] 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.[17]

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On 15 September 2025, the first 'one in, one out' migrant flight, which was due to fly one migrant from London to Paris on an Air France flight, was cancelled due to protests from charities and threats of legal action.[18] On 16 September 2025, deportation flights were cancelled again due to legal challenges and protests.[19] Further that day it was reported that a 25-year-old Eritrean asylum seeker who had arrived on a small boat on 12 August 2025, would not be deported as planned on the 17 September, after he won his High Court bid to have the removal temporarily blocked.[20][21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats". gov.uk. Home Office. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Small boat arrivals: last 7 days". Border Force. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  3. ^ "Unorthodox crossings – Applicable regulations in French waters" (PDF). www.premar-manche.gouv.fr. UNORTHODOX CROSSINGS OF THE DOVER STRAIT TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME Strictly prohibited in the French part of the Dover strait. Strictly prohibited for, scuba divers windsurfs, kitesurfs (or similar), hydroplanes (or similar), fly-boards (or similar), personal watercrafts, towed leisure crafts, crafts exclusively propelled by human energy, beach crafts, and all unregistered crafts
  4. ^ Dathan, Matt (4 August 2025). "Labour 'must stop 8 in 10 migrant crossings' to break smuggling model". The Times. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "UK to start returning some migrants to France within days under new deal". CNN. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  6. ^ Smout, Alistair (5 August 2025). "UK to start implementing migrant returns deal with France within days". Reuters. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  7. ^ "People crossing the English Channel in small boats". Migration Observatory. Archived from the original on 26 July 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Starmer says 'one in, one out' migrant deal with France will begin within weeks". BBC News. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  10. ^ "First migrants to be returned to France under 'one in, one out' scheme this month, Home Secretary tells LBC". LBC. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "U.K. and France set to ratify 'one in, one out' boat migrant returns deal". The Japan Times. 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Yvette Cooper admits 'no specified' number of migrants to be returned under UK-France deal". 2025.
  14. ^ "Britain hopes a crackdown on people-smugglers' social media ads will help curb Channel crossings". AP News. 3 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ Smout, Alistair (5 August 2025). "UK to start implementing migrant returns deal with France within days". Reuters. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  17. ^ Dathan, Matt (2025). "Minister refuses to say how many migrants will be returned in French deal". The Times. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  18. ^ "First 'one in, one out' migrant flight cancelled after protests". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 September 2025. (subscription required)
  19. ^ "'One in, one out' migrant flights cancelled for second day". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 September 2025. (subscription required)
  20. ^ "Eritrean man wins block on removal to France under 'one in, one out' deal". BBC News. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Setback to 'one in, one out' migrant scheme after man wins court bid to temporarily block removal". Sky News. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
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