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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper won't put a number on migrant returns to France Home Secretary Yvette Cooper won't put a number on migrant returns to France
(about 5 hours later)
Watch: Home secretary explains small boats pilot plan as it comes into forceWatch: Home secretary explains small boats pilot plan as it comes into force
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has declined to put a figure on how many migrants will be returned to France under a new scheme that comes into force tomorrow. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has declined to put a figure on how many migrants will be returned to France under a new agreement that comes into force tomorrow.
Some migrants arriving in the UK on small boats will be detained and returned to France under the deal agreed with French President Emmanuel Macron. Some migrants arriving in the UK on small boats will be detained and returned to France under a pilot scheme lasting 11 months.
In return, the UK will accept asylum seekers who have not tried to cross and can pass security and eligibility checks. In return, the UK will accept an equal number of asylum seekers who have not tried to cross and can pass security and eligibility checks.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the plan was a "product of months of grown-up diplomacy" which would "deliver real results" but the Conservatives said it would "make no difference whatsoever". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the plan was a "product of months of grown-up diplomacy" which would "deliver real results" but the Conservatives said it would prove "unworkable and wide open to abuse".
As of 30 July, more than 25,000 people had crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025 - about 49% higher than at the same point in 2024.As of 30 July, more than 25,000 people had crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025 - about 49% higher than at the same point in 2024.
UK and international law prevents the government from sending asylum seekers back to their country of origin before their claim has been considered and turned down. However, they can be sent to safe countries prepared to consider their claim.UK and international law prevents the government from sending asylum seekers back to their country of origin before their claim has been considered and turned down. However, they can be sent to safe countries prepared to consider their claim.
Under the plan, an adult migrant who tries to get to the UK by crossing the Channel could be returned to France if their claim for asylum was deemed to be inadmissible. Returns could begin to take place within weeks. Under a new treaty published on Tuesday, France has agreed to take back adults or accompanied children who make a journey to the UK by small boat, once any asylum claim is withdrawn or declared inadmissible.
The BBC understands that anyone arriving in the UK via small boat will be assessed as being inadmissible, but mental health and security checks will still be made, followed by screening about suitability for detention and removal. Both countries have agreed to work towards making transfers with three months after small boat arrivals have entered the UK.
However, Cooper would not be drawn on how many returns were likely to be made, stressing the scheme starting up was a trial.However, Cooper would not be drawn on how many returns were likely to be made, stressing the scheme starting up was a trial.
"The numbers will start lower and then build," she told BBC Breakfast, saying the were two reasons for not setting out numbers at this point. "The numbers will start lower and then build," she told BBC Breakfast, adding that precise details could be used as "operational information" by criminal gangs.
"First of all because those numbers will vary and will increase and we haven't picked an overall number for the scheme, although we obviously want it to increase as much as possible.
"But also, second, because we're not going to provide operational information about which numbers, which days, that the criminal gangs will then use to continue to ply their vile trade in human beings."
There have been reports that 50 people per week could be returned, compared with the weekly average of more than 800 people currently making the crossing.There have been reports that 50 people per week could be returned, compared with the weekly average of more than 800 people currently making the crossing.
Peter Walsh, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford's Migration Observatory, said the number of returns would need to be higher to have a deterrent effect.Peter Walsh, a senior researcher at the University of Oxford's Migration Observatory, said the number of returns would need to be higher to have a deterrent effect.
Asked whether 50 returns a week would have an impact on crossings, he said: "On the current rate of arrivals, that would be roughly a 5% chance of being returned.Asked whether 50 returns a week would have an impact on crossings, he said: "On the current rate of arrivals, that would be roughly a 5% chance of being returned.
"People are already taking such a big risk, they're risking their lives by getting in a small boat, so you'd have to imagine that that kind of percentage might not be enough to move the needle. "People are already taking such a big risk, they're risking their lives by getting in a small boat, so you'd have to imagine that that kind of percentage might not be enough to move the needle."
"Small boat arrivals are a very clear sign of a lack of control over the border. These are unauthorised arrivals and that's why people are concerned." The government has also disclosed details of how people will apply to come to the UK from France under the scheme.
The government is under pressure to reduce the numbers, having promised to "smash the gangs" organising the journeys. Successful applicants will initially be granted the right to come to the UK for three months, to "consider how to regularise their stay".
Applicants will apply online – but have to submit proof to the Home Office they are applying from within France.
The UK has agreed to pay the transportation costs both of those migrants it sends to France, and those it accepts back in return.
Sir Keir has previously said the "one-in-one-out" returns pilot scheme with France is not "a silver bullet" but he believes it will deter people from making the dangerous journey following a big increase in the numbers so far this year.Sir Keir has previously said the "one-in-one-out" returns pilot scheme with France is not "a silver bullet" but he believes it will deter people from making the dangerous journey following a big increase in the numbers so far this year.
He announced the agreement with Emmanuel Macron in July, but it was still subject to legal scrutiny by the European Commission and EU member states.He announced the agreement with Emmanuel Macron in July, but it was still subject to legal scrutiny by the European Commission and EU member states.
At that point, the charity Asylum Matters criticised the measure, arguing: "The only way to stop people from making dangerous journeys is to give them real safe routes to seek sanctuary."At that point, the charity Asylum Matters criticised the measure, arguing: "The only way to stop people from making dangerous journeys is to give them real safe routes to seek sanctuary."
The UK government has now said that the "EU Commission, Germany and other member states have given the green light on this innovative approach" meaning the scheme can go ahead.The UK government has now said that the "EU Commission, Germany and other member states have given the green light on this innovative approach" meaning the scheme can go ahead.
On Monday, the government announced £100m to fund 300 National Crime Agency Officers to stop the people smugglers arranging the crossings.
It has also said it wants to tackle illegal working, reducing pull factors which encourage people to come to the UK.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the government's deal with the French would be less effective than the Rwanda plan proposed by the previous Conservative government.Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the government's deal with the French would be less effective than the Rwanda plan proposed by the previous Conservative government.
"The Rwanda removals deterrent, under which 100% of illegal arrivals would be removed, was ready to go last summer but Labour cancelled it just days before it was due to start with no proper replacement plan," he said. "This is a pathetic deal, which simply won't work," he added.
"As a result, this year so far has been the worst ever for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel." "There are no numbers specified, presumably because they are so small they would embarrass the home secretary.
"It's exactly what we've been warning about – a bureaucrat's dream and a lawyer's paradise set to prevent people ever being returned to France."