started · updated
UK and France discuss ending bilateral migration pilot scheme
The United Kingdom and France are discussing the termination of their bilateral “one in, one out” migration pilot scheme. The agreement, which aimed to curb irregular small-boat crossings in the English Channel, is no longer processing new cases. Under the terms of the deal, the UK could return undocumented migrants to France in exchange for accepting an equal number of asylum seekers through legal routes.
While the British Home Office noted that small-boat crossings have decreased significantly—reaching a six-year low this summer—the scheme failed to meet its original target of approximately 2,600 exchanges. Reports indicate that around 1,500 individuals have been returned to France, while a slightly smaller number were transferred to the UK.
French officials, including Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, have expressed a preference for a broader European-level approach to migration rather than a bilateral arrangement. Despite the cessation of new cases, the UK government stated that deportation flights for those already detained will continue in the coming weeks. Humanitarian organizations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières, have criticized the scheme, citing the psychological and physical trauma experienced by those detained and returned.
Entities
Andy Burnham · British Home Office · Emmanuel Macron · European Union · France · French Ministry of the Interior · Keir Starmer · Laurent Nunez · Médecins Sans Frontières · Shabana Mahmood · United Kingdom · United Kingdom Home Office
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] France and the UK are discussing the terms for exiting the migration agreement. www.businessdaily.gr · www.independent.co.uk · www.theguardian.com · www.devdiscourse.com · www.bbc.co.uk · +4 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The cost of the scheme has averaged £56,000 per person. www.independent.co.uk · 24-ore.com · it.euronews.com · off.net.mk
- [DISPUTED] Approximately 1,400 people have been deported to France under the scheme so far. www.independent.co.uk · prezly.msf.org.uk · 24-ore.com · edmonton.citynews.ca · kitchener.citynews.ca · +12 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The original target for the exchange was approximately 2,600 people. www.businessdaily.gr · www.sigmalive.com · www.france24.com · www.theguardian.com · lesinguliersete.fr · +4 more
- [DISPUTED] As of the end of June, 1,117 people were brought to the UK under the deal. www.businessdaily.gr · www.independent.co.uk · www.sigmalive.com · www.france24.com · polityka.co.pl · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The agreement was originally set to expire in July but was extended to October 1. www.businessdaily.gr · www.theguardian.com · www.sigmalive.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] France wants to replace the bilateral deal with an EU-wide agreement. www.gbnews.com · www.independent.co.uk · www.businessdaily.gr · www.theguardian.com · 24-ore.com · +4 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] Flights for the removal of migrants will continue until the end of October. www.gbnews.com · www.independent.co.uk · kitchener.citynews.ca · www.arabnews.pk · www.bbc.co.uk · +9 more