UK-France deal aimed at reducing number of migrants crossing Channel in small boats is scrapped

LONDON -- A pilot program between the U.K. and France that aimed to curb migrant numbers crossing the English Channel in small boats has been scrapped, Britain's government said Wednesday. In a statement, the U.K.’s Home Office said the so-called “one in, one out” deal is “no longer processing new cases." Under the plan, people who arrived in the U.K. after making the dangerous crossing across the Channel could be detained and returned to France in exchange for an equivalent number of asylum seekers who applied through a safe and legal route.

As part of the deal , some 1,117 asylum seekers came to the U.K. from France from August 2025 to June 2026 while 1,087 were deported, according to Home Office data. The deal was earmarked to last for three years though there was a clause for both parties to bring it to an end earlier “We continue to work with France to relentlessly tackle small boat crossings, and we’ve made real progress," it said in a statement. Popular Reads District attorney reopens case of alleged Cornell University 'gang rape' 1 day ago Former 'American Idol' contestant found guilty of murdering wife 1 day ago White House orders over $800M in funds rescinded Sep 26 Though the scheme is “no longer processing new cases," the Home Office said deportation flights will continue in the coming weeks for those who have already been detained.

The backdrop currently is very different to last year. The number of people making the crossing has fallen sharply this year for a variety of reasons, including increased police patrols and enhanced surveillance in northern France. The danger involved in those crossings was clear on Monday when a 10-year-old child and two women died , apparently trampled to death on a boat packed with more than 100 people.