A second migrant returned to the UK after being sent to France under a government deal aimed at deterring small boat crossings. The Home Office confirmed the individual was detained and will be sent back to France promptly.

At a glance

  • A second migrant returned to the UK after being sent to France.
  • The Home Office aims to deter small boat crossings in the English Channel.
  • Over 39,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year.

    • Migrant Returns to the UK

    The Home Office has confirmed that a second migrant, who was part of the "one in, one out" deal with France, has returned to the UK. Detected through biometric measures, the individual was detained immediately upon re-entry. Officials stated that he will be returned to France as soon as possible. This pilot scheme is designed to discourage migrants from attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats. The first migrant under this agreement, an Iranian man, also returned to the UK last month before being deported again.

    Home Office's Stance on Returns

    A spokesperson for the Home Office emphasized that anyone attempting to return to the UK after being removed under the UK-France agreement would face immediate detention. The spokesperson reiterated that the government is committed to increasing the number of removals of illegal migrants. The Home Office reported that 94 migrants have been returned to France since the scheme began, while 57 new arrivals have been recorded in the UK. The government aims to strengthen border security and reduce illegal crossings.

    Current Migration Trends

    Recent statistics show a significant number of migrants crossing the Channel. More than 500 crossed on one Saturday alone, with a total of 39,075 migrants making the journey this year. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is exploring a major overhaul of the UK's immigration rules, inspired by Denmark's system. Mahmood has expressed a desire to reduce incentives for illegal entry into the UK, including tightening family reunion rules and facilitating the removal of individuals without legal rights to stay.

    Political Reactions

    Downing Street has defended the effectiveness of the "one in, one out" scheme, stating that the detection of returning migrants proves the system is functioning as intended. The Prime Minister's spokesperson noted that those attempting to re-enter the UK are wasting their resources. Critics, including Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson, have labeled the Home Office's handling of the situation as incompetent. He called for a comprehensive approach to asylum seekers and criticized the current system as broken. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp highlighted the influx of nearly 18,000 migrants since the deal was established, arguing that only a few have been removed. He asserted that the Conservative Party has a clear plan to address illegal migration, contrasting it with the Labour Party's approach.