UK and France scrap pilot scheme for migrant returns

The United Kingdom and France have ended a joint pilot scheme known as "one in, one out," which had been set up to reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats from the French coast to Britain.

Purpose of the scheme

The crossing of the Channel by migrants in small, often overcrowded and unsafe boats has long been a significant political and humanitarian issue for both the UK and France. Authorities in both countries have repeatedly sought ways to curb this flow while addressing the related safety and humanitarian concerns. The pilot scheme was one of the tools developed as part of bilateral cooperation to tackle the issue.

The decision to scrap it

According to available information, the scheme has now been discontinued. Further details on the reasons behind the decision, or on any future plans for managing migration flows across the Channel, have not yet been made public. It is also not clear whether, or in what form, the UK and France intend to continue bilateral cooperation on this matter.

Irregular migration across the English Channel remains a prominent issue on the domestic political agendas of both countries, and this decision could affect future negotiations between London and Paris over joint approaches to border management and controlling migrant crossings.