The UK’s efforts to tighten control over illegal Channel crossings have ramped up again this week — but not without controversy or challenges.
While dozens of migrants have been returned to France under Labour’s new “one in, one out” deal, hundreds more have still made the dangerous journey to Britain’s shores.
Sixteen Migrants Returned Under Labour’s New Deal
Sixteen migrants who entered the UK illegally have been flown back to France this week, according to the Home Office.
That brings the total number of deportations under Labour’s “one in, one out” agreement — introduced on August 6 — to 42.
The deal, which was designed to discourage Channel crossings, hasn’t stopped the flow.
In the past week alone, another 401 people have arrived in the UK on small boats.
Meanwhile, Britain has accepted 23 migrants from France under the “inward” part of the same agreement, which was reached between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year.
Small Boats Surge Again After a Brief Lull
Home Office figures showed a few quiet days with no recorded crossings between Tuesday and Friday.
But that calm quickly ended on Saturday when 369 people reached the UK in just seven small boats.
That surge pushed the total number of Channel arrivals this year to 37,734 — only 80 fewer than the total recorded for all of 2024.
At this rate, the 2022 record of 37,099 arrivals by this time of year looks set to be surpassed.
Home Secretary Promises a Tougher Stance
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the latest return flight as the largest yet under the Labour-French agreement, insisting it sends a clear message.
“For years, illegal migrants entered our country with no consequence,” she said. “If you come here by small boat, you can be sent back.
This is just the beginning — I will scale up these removals and do whatever it takes to secure our borders.”
Mahmood’s remarks underline Labour’s shift in immigration enforcement since scrapping the Conservatives’ Rwanda deportation plan — a move that sparked fierce political debate.
Opposition Accuses Labour of ‘Swindling the Public’
Criticism from the opposition has been fierce. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called Labour’s returns deal “a massive con,” accusing the government of failing to make a real difference.
“Since the deal started, over 10,000 illegal immigrants have crossed the Channel, and Labour has removed only 26,” he argued.
“This won’t deter anyone. We need to leave the European Convention on Human Rights so we can deport people in days — that would be a real deterrent.”
Legal Delays and Limited Staffing Slow the Scheme
Despite the government’s promise to expand returns to about 50 migrants per week, progress has been slow.
The Home Office recently admitted that only 12 staff are directly assigned to work on the French returns deal.
Martin Hewitt, head of the UK’s Border Security Command, told MPs that although other officials support the process — including staff at Kent’s Manston processing centre and Heathrow’s immigration detention facility — the limited team size has affected implementation.
In total, more than 5,000 Home Office and National Crime Agency staff are working on tackling the small boats crisis, with around 1,000 under Hewitt’s command.
Rising Numbers Despite Government Frustration
Hewitt acknowledged that the numbers remain “frustrating and challenging.” So far this year, 36,365 migrants have crossed the Channel — about a third more than the same time last year.
He said the UK’s cross-agency plan to address the problem “will deliver,” but admitted more work needs to be done.
He also highlighted that French police have yet to begin intercepting boats near the coastline, due to ongoing training and legal restrictions.
French Political Instability Adds to Delays
The delays have been compounded by political turmoil in France, where the government collapsed earlier this month for the third time in a year.
Although Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was reinstated after surviving confidence votes, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau — who oversaw the border reforms — was replaced.
The French government had pledged that police officers would start intercepting dinghies by the end of summer, but they are still not legally permitted to intervene once boats enter the water unless passengers request a rescue.
Police unions in France have also demanded better equipment and safety guarantees before taking on the dangerous task.
Violence on the Rise Among Migrant Groups
Officials say a new wave of violence has complicated the situation further.
Many of those crossing now come from the Horn of Africa, with migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia among the most common nationalities.
Rob Jones, Director-General of Operations at the National Crime Agency, told MPs that violent clashes have erupted between groups vying for space on boats.
“The Horn of Africa cohort, through their violent behaviour and their deals with smugglers, have driven injuries and fatalities up,” he explained.
What Happens Next?
With crossings rising and the French side struggling to enforce new rules, the future of Labour’s “one in, one out” policy remains uncertain.
While the Home Office insists the plan will expand, critics warn that without faster deportations and stronger cooperation from France, the policy may do little to slow the crossings that have already reached record levels this year.
For now, both governments face mounting pressure — one to uphold its promise of border security, the other to deliver on its pledge to help stop the boats before they reach the Channel.