The UK-France migrant deal faces scrutiny as critics question whether the returns agreement can withstand legal challenges and actually reduce Channel crossings. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper insists the plan is legally sound, but opponents call it a “gimmick” with limited impact.
Under the new agreement, the UK will return migrants to France while accepting an equal number of asylum seekers with legal claims in France. The pilot phase expects to process around 50 migrants per week.
Cooper claims the UK-France migrant deal faces scrutiny unfairly, arguing it will “break the model” of people smugglers. She emphasized that repeat offenders would be barred from UK asylum claims.
Despite Cooper’s confidence, immigration experts warn of potential lawsuits. Lucy Moreton of the Immigration Services Union said legal battles over selection criteria could delay implementation for months.
The Home Secretary dismissed concerns, stating the government ensured the policy was “robust” against court challenges. However, critics argue the plan lacks the scale needed to make a real difference.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called the agreement ineffective compared to the scrapped Rwanda scheme. He claimed Labour’s plan leaves most migrants in the UK while failing to “smash the gangs.”
Cooper countered that the Rwanda policy only removed four people voluntarily. She accused the previous government of “chaos” in handling migration.
Small boat arrivals hit nearly 20,000 in the first half of 2025—a record high. Macron suggested Brexit worsened the crisis by weakening UK-EU cooperation.
As the UK-France migrant deal faces scrutiny, its success hinges on expanding returns while avoiding legal pitfalls. The government promises updates as the pilot progresses.
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