Starmer and Macron unveil “one in, one out” Channel migration deal
A new bilateral deal announced at the end of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit pledges a pilot “one in, one out” returns scheme: the UK will return around 2,600 irregular Channel migrants per year to France, matched by accepting an equal number of asylum seekers with strong UK ties. The agreement follows the UK’s abandonment of the Rwanda plan and includes provisions for biometric checks in the UK and £480 million in funding for French border patrols and surveillance. Negotiations continue on start date, additional financing, and legal clearance in France. The pilot allows 50 returns per week, but opposition from other EU countries and concerns over legal challenges remain.
Reactions:
- Keir Starmer & Emmanuel Macron: “Shared solutions are key to breaking the smuggling gangs’ business model.”
- Tory critics: “Deal fails to deter crossings – just 50 returns are inadequate.”
- EU “Med‑5” group (Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta): > “This bilateral deal risks shifting burdens onto southern Europe.”
Media Bias & Framing:
- Guardian/AP/Reuters/Euronews report the bipartisan progress and diplomatic symbolism, noting both logistical and political hurdles.
- Independent/Times emphasise negotiation friction – money, legal clearance, support from other EU members – and the symbolic reset in Franco‑British relations. (The Independent)
- El País and EU outlets warn that a UK–France bilateral approach may unsettle the collective Schengen framework and may shift migration pressures elsewhere. (El País)
Sentiment: Neutral–negative. While the deal represents a diplomatic breakthrough, signalling renewed Franco‑British cooperation and an alternative to the Rwanda policy, critics argue its scale is too limited and risks infringing EU solidarity and legal norms.
