The UK is currently in negotiations with France to strike a new migration deal. Under the scheme, illegal migrants who have crossed the Channel in small boats would be returned, in exchange for Britain accepting legitimate asylum seekers. The “one-for-one” deal would allow asylum seekers to join their family members already in the UK.
The “pilot scheme” between London and Paris could later be expanded into an EU-wide measure as ministers grapple with the influx of small boat arrivals. Around 9,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year, up 46% on last year. France’s interior ministry confirmed the negotiations are underway, with an aim of discouraging smuggling networks too.
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France said it aims to prevent migrants from attempting to reach UK shores from France, “based on a one-for-one principle”
This means, for “each legal admission under family reunification, there would be a corresponding readmission of undocumented migrants” who managed to cross the Channel.
On Wednesday, Transport minister Lilian Greenwood said there were discussions with the French government, yet did not reveal what the deal would entail. However, Ms Greenwood did make clear that the aim of the deal would be to “stop this appalling and dangerous trade in people that’s happening across the English Channel”.
France’s interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, said that the return of asylum seekers to France from the UK would “send a clear message”, posing as a deterrent.
Just this week, more than 700 migrants crossed the Channel in 12 boats on Tuesday, which marks a new record this year.
Despite the torrential downpours of rain, the boats were launched in a bid to take advantage before 20mph winds arrived. This follows 656 asylum seekers on 11 boats arriving on Saturday, Home Office figures reveal.
