UK and France extend ‘one in, one out’ small boats pilot scheme until October
Summary
The UK and France have agreed to extend a pilot program called “one in, one out” until October. This program returns one asylum seeker who crosses the Channel in a small boat to France in exchange for allowing another asylum seeker from France to come to the UK legally.Key Facts
- The “one in, one out” scheme was signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in July.
- The pilot program was originally set to end on June 11 but will now continue until October 1.
- The goal is to reduce small boat crossings across the Channel and stop people-smuggling gangs.
- Since the deal, over 600 people have been sent back to France, and about 580 have arrived in the UK legally under the scheme.
- Small boat crossings fell by about one-third compared to last year, partly due to bad weather.
- People-smuggling gangs have changed tactics and now use other routes, like Belgium, or more expensive crossings in lorries (trucks).
- Some asylum seekers have raised concerns about poor treatment and the dangers they face, both in UK detention and after being returned to France.
- The UK Home Office says this scheme is part of broader efforts to reduce illegal migration and return people with no legal right to stay in the UK.
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