Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Across the English Channel. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron during the final day of Sir Keir’s three-day state visit to France.

What is the plan about?

This plan is known as the “one in, one out” rule. It means that:

• Migrants who come to the UK in small boats will be sent back to France.
• In return, the UK will accept the same number of asylum seekers from France, provided that they have been thoroughly vetted and their security records have been checked.

This plan will begin as a pilot scheme, which means it is a test to see if it works well. If successful, it will continue and may be expanded in the future.

Why is this plan being started?

Sir Keir Starmer said that this plan will show migrants and people smugglers that trying to cross the Channel in small boats will not work anymore. He called it a “ground-breaking” idea that will help break the business model of smugglers who take money from people and send them on dangerous journeys across the sea.

He explained that illegal migration is not just a problem for the UK but also Europe and the world. He called it a “global crisis, an EU crisis, and a crisis for our two nations.”

How many people have come to the UK in small boats?

Since 2018, when the UK started keeping records, more than 170,000 migrants have arrived in small boats. In the first six months of 2025 alone, nearly 20,000 people reached the UK this way, which is a record number.

What did President Macron say?

President Macron said that the plan would act as a “deterrent”, meaning it would stop people from trying to cross illegally. He added that Brexit made it harder for the UK to handle migration because the people were told that leaving the European Union would solve the problem, but that was “a lie” according to him.

Other agreements between the UK and France

Apart from the migrant deal, the two leaders also agreed on:

• Joint nuclear defence: The UK and France will work together to coordinate their nuclear weapons in case of an attack on either country.

• Collaboration in supercomputers and Artificial Intelligence (AI): They will work on new technologies together to strengthen both countries.

• Anti-ship missiles: They will speed up work on creating and improving these missiles for defence at sea.

How will the migrant deal work in practice?

Some details of the plan are still not clear. However:

• The pilot scheme will start with adult migrants only.
• People who are living in France but want to come to the UK legally will be able to apply for asylum through an online platform.
• The UK will give priority to those from countries where people smugglers are very active and to people who have family or strong links in the UK.

The UK government said the agreement will be officially signed only after proper legal checks are done with the European Commission and EU member states. Some countries like Spain and Italy may be worried because migrants sent back to France might travel towards them later on. Under European rules, migrants must claim asylum in the first European country they arrive in, which is often a country near the Mediterranean Sea.

What else did Sir Keir say?

Sir Keir said there is “no silver bullet”, meaning there is no single solution to solve illegal migration. But he believes that with new tactics, teamwork, and serious effort, they can reduce the number of illegal crossings.

He also announced a new crackdown on illegal working. Many migrants are promised jobs by traffickers when they reach the UK, but his government plans to make sure that these jobs “no longer exist.” The government will focus on areas where illegal working is common, such as delivery riders.

Why does the UK take asylum seekers?

Sir Keir explained, “Some people ask why we take anyone in. We do it because it is right to help those in most dire need. But also, we cannot solve this problem alone by ignoring our friends and partners.”

What are other people saying about the plan?

• A Conservative leader said the deal would only return 1 out of every 17 migrants, meaning 94% would still remain in the UK. They believe this will not stop illegal arrivals.
• Another politician said the migrant crossings were a “national security emergency” and complained that France should return the money paid by the UK for supporting French border patrols.
• Some experts said it was the first time France agreed to take back migrants, which is an achievement. But they also said that unless large numbers are returned, people will keep crossing the Channel.
• A refugee support group welcomed the focus on stopping smuggling gangs and said the plan could give families a safe and legal way to reach the UK.
• However, another charity criticised the plan, calling it a “dangerous gimmick like Rwanda”, and said the real solution is to create safe routes for refugees so they don’t have to risk their lives.

What happened to the Rwanda plan?

The previous Conservative government wanted to send migrants to Rwanda but the plan was stopped due to legal challenges. Before it could begin, general elections were called. When Sir Keir became Prime Minister, he cancelled the Rwanda plan, calling it a “gimmick.” He said his government will focus on tackling smuggling gangs instead of sending migrants to faraway countries.