The idea? A “one in, one out” system where for every migrant the UK sends back to France, France would send an asylum seeker—likely someone with family ties to Britain—into the UK.
In a major step towards tackling illegal immigration, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are exploring a new migration deal. This deal is still in discussion and hasn’t been officially confirmed, but UK government insiders say an initial pilot could start soon. The pilot plan would involve around 50 migrants being exchanged each way per week.
While that’s just a small fraction of the 21,117 migrants who’ve already crossed the Channel in small boats this year—a 56% increase from the same period in 2024—it could mark the beginning of a more balanced and humane approach to migration between the two countries.
Starmer and Macron met during the Franco-British Summit in London, wrapping up Macron’s three-day state visit. Earlier this week, Macron told UK Members of Parliament that the two nations have a shared responsibility to tackle illegal migration with “humanity, solidarity, and firmness.”
What’s Driving This?
Since 2018, the UK has struggled with small boat crossings from France, and France has long resisted taking people back. But this deal could be a breakthrough, especially with Labour’s 2024 manifesto promising to “smash the people-smuggling gangs” behind the crossings.
Just between July 2 and July 8, 695 migrants arrived in the UK in 11 small boats. The government hopes that this new exchange program will not only improve cooperation with France but also help deter future crossings.
The Big Question
Will this small-scale exchange be enough to stop or reduce the dangerous Channel journeys? That remains to be seen. But it’s clear both countries are ready to try new, cooperative solutions after years of rising numbers and political tension.
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