Starmer and Macron detail one in, one out migrant returns scheme
Starmer and Macron announce plan to ‘turn the tables’ on boats crisis
- Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed a pilot scheme to return small boat migrants from the UK to France.
- Under the plan, migrants arriving in the UK via small boats will be detained and sent back to France.
- In exchange for each migrant returned, a different individual will be permitted to enter the UK through a controlled and legal safe route, provided they have not attempted illegal entry.
- The prime minister said the scheme, set to begin within weeks, aims to "finally turn the tables" on the English Channel migrant crisis.
- Sir Keir said the reciprocal arrangement was necessary as the UK cannot solve the issue of illegal migration alone and must collaborate with allies.