The UK and France have agreed on a new pilot scheme that allows for the return of some migrants who cross the English Channel in small boats.

This move, announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron during Macron's state visit to London, marks a stricter stance on illegal migration according to Starmer.

Under the 'one in, one out' arrangement, for every migrant the UK returns to France, an equal number of asylum seekers deemed to have legitimate claims will be returned from France.

This plan aims to deter dangerous crossings and is expected to launch within weeks.

The scheme is part of a broader effort to rebuild Franco-British relations post-Brexit.

The pilot scheme involves returning up to 50 small boat arrivals to France each week, with the potential to scale up if successful.

Macron emphasized that the agreement is intended to have a deterrent effect, stating his commitment to its success due to the common interest in addressing irregular migration.

This initiative comes as more than 21,000 people arrived in the UK via this route this year, representing a 56% increase from the same period in 2024.

Potential challenges include legal issues and opposition from other European nations.

Discussions on halting irregular migration across the Channel have been ongoing for decades, evolving from focusing on preventing stowaways in the early 2000s to addressing sea routes more recently.

The previous Conservative government's plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was scrapped by Starmer shortly after he took office in July 2024.

This new pilot scheme reflects a shift in strategy as authorities continue to respond to the dynamics of migration and smuggling networks.