UK and France Launch ‘One In, One Out’ Deal to Tackle Illegal Channel Crossings

By Ellen Hughes

In a landmark bilateral agreement, the UK and French governments have launched a new “One In, One Out” pilot scheme aimed at curbing illegal Channel crossings. The deal, unveiled on July 10th during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK, marks the most serious UK–EU migration cooperation effort since Brexit. Under the new arrangement, migrants arriving illegally in the UK by small boats without valid documentation will be detained and swiftly returned to France. In exchange, France will send verified migrants, particularly family members with legal claims, back to the UK through safe and legal routes. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the UK will only accept verified family migrants from France, emphasising a focus on controlled and lawful migration [1].

This pilot scheme, reportedly capped at 50 returns per week (approximately 2,600 per year), although not confirmed by Starmer himself, addresses only part of the migration surge. By June 2025, over 20,000 people had crossed the English Channel in small boats since the beginning of the year—an average of 800 arrivals per week [2]. Starmer, who campaigned on a pledge to “smash the gangs” behind smuggling operations, is under pressure from political rivals, such as Reform UK, to take such action.

In a significant development following the deal, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for closer migration and defence cooperation between the UK, France, and Germany. He proposed a trilateral alliance that would expand on the “One In, One Out” model to build a more unified approach to border security, migrant returns and joint enforcement. This proposal highlights growing momentum within Europe to create flexible, post-Brexit migration frameworks that function outside traditional EU structures. [3]

While the deal aims to deter dangerous journeys and reduce reliance on criminal networks, critics have pointed out its limitations. The supposed 50-person cap on weekly returns may not significantly reduce the growing backlog. Moreover, questions remain over France’s long-term willingness to accept returned migrants and the UK’s ability to process family reunification claims efficiently.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) welcomed the scheme cautiously. In a statement, UNHCR representative Phillip Leclerc said that if “appropriately implemented,” the deal could lead to a “more managed and shared approach” to migration, potentially offering alternatives to perilous crossings. [4]

However, the deal has drawn concern from human rights groups, particularly regarding vulnerable children. Many young migrants, some as young as 12, arrive alone in the UK, fleeing conflict or poverty. Critics argue that the family verification process is slow, complex, and prone to failure, placing these children at risk of detention, homelessness, or retrafficking upon return.

Beyond its policy implications, the deal is symbolically significant. Post-Brexit, the UK lost its right to return migrants under the EU’s Dublin Regulation. This bilateral agreement with France is seen as a test case for whether the UK can rebuild migration cooperation with EU states on its own terms.

The “One In, One Out” plan marks a cautious step forward, and its outcome could heavily influence the direction of future UK-EU asylum arrangements. It’s an attempt to walk a fine line, balancing deterrence with compassion and national control with cross-border cooperation. Whether it works will largely come down to how well it’s implemented, the strength of its legal footing and the level of commitment on both sides of the Channel.

References

[1] Stacey, K., Elgot, J., (2025) “Starmer hails ‘groundbreaking’ deal to return small-boat migrants to France”. The Guardian, 10 Jul 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/10/starmer-one-in-one-out-deal-allow-uk-return-small-boat-migrants-france

[2] “Record arrivals see migrant Channel crossings top 12,000 for year so far”. Scottish National, 19 Jun 2024. https://www.thenational.scot/news/national/24396895.record-arrivals-see-migrant-channel-crossings-top-12-000-year-far/

[3] Harrach, G.v., (2025) “UK and Germany sign ‘Friendship Treaty’ on migration and defence”. Channel 4 News, 17 Jul 2025. https://www.channel4.com/news/uk-and-germany-sign-friendship-treaty-on-migration-and-defence

[4] “News Comment: UK–France pilot arrangement”. UNHCR, 10 Jul 2025. https://www.unhcr.org/uk/news/speeches-and-statements/news-comment-ukfrance-pilot-arrangement