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, Sir Keir Starmer said it would come into force in a matter of “weeks”.
He says: “Migrants arriving via small boat will be detained and returned to France in short order.
“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.”
Sir Keir said this is a “pilot”, with reports suggesting that just 50 people per week will be sent to France back across the Channel.
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