Over 50,000 migrants have journeyed across the English Channel since assuming office by Keir Starmer.
The new migrant return agreement between the UK and France, implemented last week, aims to reduce illegal migrant crossings of the English Channel. However, early data suggests that the agreement has yet to show significant results in deterring these crossings.
Under the agreement, adult migrants whose asylum claims are deemed inadmissible can be returned to France in exchange for the UK receiving a similar number of asylum seekers with legitimate processes. The scheme includes operational readiness with dedicated Immigration Removal Centre space and Border Force strategies for processing removals.
Despite the new measures, the numbers of migrants crossing the English Channel have not decreased. For instance, in the week ending July 28, 2025, before the scheme was active, 1,259 people arrived across the Channel. Furthermore, on Monday alone, 474 migrants arrived.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised the Labour Party's approach to the issue, stating that the current figures show Keir Starmer's plan to end the crossings was just a slogan. It is worth noting that during Starmer's tenure as Prime Minister, over 50,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats, a 50% increase from the previous year.
The agreement is still in its initial trial phase, scheduled to last until June 2026, during which both countries will continually review the process and effectiveness. The scheme excludes certain groups, such as unaccompanied minors and those posing security risks.
The BBC reported that Education Minister Bridget Phillipson stated the Government plans to "turn the situation around". However, with the high numbers of arrivals shortly before and after the agreement's implementation, the impact on significantly reducing illegal Channel crossings remains uncertain and unproven at this stage. Further time and data will be needed to assess the agreement's effectiveness conclusively.
Meanwhile, a Labour party member has stated that the number of crossings is "unacceptable". The BBC also reported that the Government plans to address the issue, with the hope that the situation will improve in the coming months.
[1] BBC News, "UK-France migrant return agreement: What is the 'pilot scheme'?", August 6, 2025. [2] Home Office, "UK-France migrant return agreement", August 6, 2025. [3] The Guardian, "UK-France migrant return agreement: what is it and what does it mean?", August 6, 2025.
- The implementation of the UK-France migrant return agreement, aiming to reduce illegal migrant crossings in the English Channel, has been met with criticism and uncertainty, as the early data shows no significant decrease in migrant numbers.
- Amidst the growing debate in general-news and politics, both countries are monitoring the agreement's pilot phase closely, with the education minister expressing hope for improvement, while a Labour party member fiercely criticizes the current situation as unacceptable.
