Over 1,000 Migrants Reach UK in a Day Despite New Returns Pact
More than 1,000 people crossed the English Channel to the UK in small boats on Friday, despite the government’s new returns agreement with France.
Home Office figures show 1,072 people made the journey in 13 boats — an average of more than 80 per vessel. The surge came just a day after the first migrant was deported under the “one in, one out” deal, which allows the UK to return those arriving illegally to France. In exchange, Britain will admit the same number of asylum seekers through safe and legal routes, provided they have not previously attempted irregular entry.
On Friday, an Iranian man became the third person to be removed under the arrangement. So far in 2025, 32,103 people have crossed the Channel — the highest figure ever recorded at this stage in a year.
Ministers argue the agreement should act as a deterrent, but the scale of the latest arrivals suggests it is having little immediate impact on those willing to attempt the dangerous crossing.
The first flights carrying asylum seekers from France to the UK under the reciprocal side of the deal are expected next week. While officials have not confirmed figures, a Home Office source told the PA news agency the transfers are likely to be “at or close to parity”, reflecting the structure of the agreement.
The deal, signed by both governments and approved by the European Commission, came into effect on 5 August.
