'One in, one out' scheme costs £56,000 per person returned to France, home secretary says
The UK and France terminated their reciprocal migration scheme after its pilot year, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealing the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned. Sources offer conflicting totals for the number of individuals sent back under the agreement, ranging from 281 up to approximately 1,500 people. Additionally, the Home Office shut down its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme. The policy breakdown follows a High Court test case ruling that the Home Office depended on an improper age assessment during a removal to France, while critics now warn that loopholes could push traffickers toward more dangerous routes.
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- ✓ The reciprocal migration scheme between the UK and France was terminated following its pilot year.
- ✓ Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned to France.
- ✓ Sources present conflicting figures for total returns, ranging from 281 up to approximately 1,500 people.
- ✓ The Home Office closed its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme.
What changed
Critics and experts warned that the termination of the bilateral deal and its resulting loopholes might drive traffickers toward more dangerous migration routes.
Live updates
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France Migration Deal Collapses Amid £56,000 Cost Concerns
The UK and France terminated their reciprocal migration scheme after its pilot year, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealing the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned. Sources offer conflicting totals for the number of individuals sent back under the agreement, ranging from 281 up to approximately 1,500 people. Additionally, the Home Office shut down its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme. The policy breakdown follows a High Court test case ruling that the Home Office depended on an improper age assessment during a removal to France, while critics now warn that loopholes could push traffickers toward more dangerous routes.
Why it matters
The failed pilot was designed to manage Channel crossings through coordinated returns between the UK and France. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron previously met in London to discuss migration proposals. The collapse of the agreement leaves policymakers searching for alternative methods to handle small boat crossings and asylum hotel expenses.
What is confirmed
- The reciprocal migration scheme between the UK and France was terminated following its pilot year.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned to France.
- Sources present conflicting figures for total returns, ranging from 281 up to approximately 1,500 people.
- The Home Office closed its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme.
- A High Court test case ruled that the Home Office relied on a flawed age assessment during a removal to France.
Still unconfirmed
- Loophole vulnerabilities in the collapsed agreement could drive traffickers toward more dangerous routes.
What to watch next
- Any new bilateral migration agreements between the UK and France
- Official government releases detailing total expenditure and actual return counts for the pilot year
- Further legal challenges regarding Home Office age assessment practices in removal cases
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (4)
- londondaily.com — £4.5bn lost to fraud in three COVID schemes as Rishi Sunak's ...
- londondaily.com — Critics Warn Starmer’s ‘One‑In, One‑Out’ Migration Deal May ...
- immipedia.ai — France's 'One In, One Out' Immigration Deal: Policy Update ...
- breakingbrexitnews.com — Small Boat Crossings Explained: Figures and Costs
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UK-France Migration Scheme Ends Amid Cost and Legal Scrutiny
The UK and France have terminated their reciprocal migration scheme following its pilot year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned. Sources present conflicting figures for total returns, ranging from 281 up to approximately 1,500 people, while the Home Office also closed its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme. A High Court test case subsequently ruled that the Home Office relied on a flawed age assessment during a removal to France. President Emmanuel Macron previously visited London to discuss migration proposals with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Why it matters
The short-lived pilot policy ended quietly after roughly a year, bringing heightened scrutiny over its financial efficiency and low return rate relative to total small boat arrivals. Legal challenges concerning administrative errors in removal cases have added further pressure to government migration management. The collapse of the arrangement leaves open the question of how both nations will handle future cross-Channel crossings.
What is confirmed
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the one in, one out scheme cost £56,000 per person returned to France.
- A High Court test case found the Home Office relied on an age assessment its own records flagged as flawed in a France removal.
Still unconfirmed
- Total returns under the pilot scheme reached approximately 1,400 people, 1,087 people, or 1,500 transfers according to various reports.
What to watch next
- Further legal challenges regarding Home Office age assessments in deportation cases
- Official government releases detailing the total final expenditures and return tallies of the terminated pilot
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (5)
- rightsidenews.com — EXR Ruling: Home Office Age Errors in France Removal Case
- en.parapolitika.gr — Macron in London: "One in, one out" proposal on table for ...
- rightsidenews.com — France Returns Deal Ends: What the Official Numbers Show
- www.europesays.com — Good Riddance to the ‘One In, One Out’ Deportation Scheme
- thenationalpulse.com — UK Govt ‘Deportation’ Deal Has Brought in More Migrants Than ...
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UK and France Scrapper 'One In, One Out' Migrant Deal
The United Kingdom and France have officially terminated their reciprocal migrant exchange arrangement following its pilot year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned. GB News reported the total taxpayer expense reached £84 million. Conflicting figures exist for total returns, with the Independent reporting approximately 1,400 people returned, previous briefings citing 281 returns, and Alpine Weekly noting 1,500 transfers. Rocket News reported the partnership lasted 423 days and returned only 4% of small boat arrivals. The Home Office also closed its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme while pending applicants wait for decisions.
Why it matters
The collapse of the pilot scheme exposes the limits of border enforcement strategies intended to manage Channel crossings. Despite the bilateral arrangement, refugees continue to attempt small boat crossings facing French police aggression. The closure marks a major shift in Channel crossing management and leaves the future of UK asylum policy uncertain.
What is confirmed
- The UK and France officially scrapped their reciprocal migrant exchange arrangement following the conclusion of its pilot year.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned.
- GB News reported the total taxpayer cost reached £84 million.
- The Home Office closed its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme while pending applicants still await decisions.
Still unconfirmed
- Total returns reached around 1,400 people according to the Independent, while previous briefings cited 281 returns and Alpine Weekly reported 1,500 migrants transferred.
- Rocket News reported the partnership lasted 423 days and returned only 4% of small boat arrivals.
What to watch next
- Any new bilateral border enforcement agreements between the UK and France
- Official government clarification on the exact total number of individuals returned during the pilot
- Future updates on pending applicants affected by the closure of the UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (8)
- www.theguardian.com — People smugglers are still profiting from small boats. Can ...
- www.telegraph.co.uk — Home Office - The Telegraph
- alpineweekly.com — The Channel Shell Game - Alpine Weekly
- www.theguardian.com — Wednesday briefing: Why small boat crossings are here to stay | Immigration and asylum
- morgansmithimmigration.com — UK-France ‘One In, One Out’ Migrant Deal Comes to an End
- rocketnews.com — Wednesday briefing: Why small boat crossings are here to stay
- visaandimmigrations.com — UK-France Migrant Deal Scrapped: Impact on UK Immigration
- immipedia.ai — France's 'One In, One Out' Migration Deal Scrapped ...
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UK-France migrant exchange deal ends after pilot year
The UK and France have officially scrapped their reciprocal migrant exchange arrangement following the conclusion of its pilot year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned. GB News reported the total taxpayer cost reached £84 million. Conflicting figures exist for total returns, with the Independent reporting around 1,400 people returned and previous briefings citing 281 returns. The Home Office also closed its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme while pending applicants still await decisions, according to recent updates.
Why it matters
The flagship pilot returns scheme was originally created with the intention of returning small boat arrivals to France while taking in other applicants through a legal transfer system. French President Emmanuel Macron and then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer struck the deal. The agreement ultimately wound down after talks stalled and following a French demand for an EU-wide arrangement.
What is confirmed
- The UK-France one in, one out migrant returns arrangement has ended, bringing the year-long pilot on Channel crossings to a close.
- The Home Office closed its UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme after the pilot ended, leaving pending applicants awaiting decisions.
- The deal was originally struck between French President Emmanuel Macron and then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer.
Still unconfirmed
- Conflicting figures exist for total returns, with the Independent reporting around 1,400 people returned and previous briefings citing 281 returns.
What to watch next
- Decisions made regarding pending applicants still awaiting outcomes from the closed UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme.
- Any future negotiations between the UK and France regarding an EU-wide arrangement for migrant returns.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (6)
- www.telegraph.co.uk — Migrant crisis - The Telegraph
- uk-eta.com — UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme Closes as "One in, One out" Pilot Ends - ETA for the United Kingdom
- www.factrefuge.com — UK-France ‘One in One Out’ Deal Officially Scrapped
- immigrationandmigration.com — UK-FRANCE 'ONE IN, ONE OUT' MIGRANT RETURNS DEAL ENDS: WHAT
- www.thetablet.co.uk — JRS UK welcomes end of ‘inhumane’ migrant deportation scheme
- hjt-training.co.uk — Immigration News Update - 9 October 2026 - HJT Training
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UK-France Migrant Scheme Costs £56,000 Per Person Ahead of Expiry
The UK and France migrant exchange agreement is winding down and will expire on Thursday after talks stalled, according to previous reporting. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned. The flagship pilot returns scheme aimed at deterring small boat arrivals will end following a French demand for an EU-wide arrangement. GB News reported the total taxpayer cost reached £84 million. Conflicting figures exist for total returns, with the Independent reporting around 1,400 people returned and previous briefings citing 281 returns.
Why it matters
The migrant exchange framework represents a high-profile effort to deter unauthorized small boat channel crossings. The termination follows specific policy demands from France regarding broader European Union arrangements. Discrepancies in total returns and overall expenditure highlight ongoing transparency challenges regarding the pilot program's efficiency.
What is confirmed
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned.
Still unconfirmed
- The Independent reported the deal returned around 1,400 people.
- GB News reported the total taxpayer cost reached £84 million.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of the exact official tally of returned individuals before Thursday's expiration.
- Official announcements from London or Paris regarding any post-pilot border enforcement measures.
confidence 50%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.one-line.com — Global Container Shipping Solutions | ONE
- www.one-line.com — ONE : Cargo Tracking
- en.wikipedia.org — 1 - Wikipedia
- en.wikipedia.org — Ocean Network Express - Wikipedia
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UK-France migrant exchange deal collapses
The UK and France migrant exchange agreement is winding down and set to expire on Thursday after talks stalled. The flagship pilot returns scheme aimed at deterring small boat arrivals will end following a French demand for an EU-wide arrangement. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the initiative cost £56,000 per person returned. While the Independent reported the deal returned around 1,400 people, the previous briefing noted 281 returns, and GB News reported the total taxpayer cost reached £84 million.
Why it matters
The bilateral pilot agreement was designed to balance migrant flows across the Channel by exchanging individuals arriving via small boats. France sought to renegotiate or terminate the pact ahead of its expiration date. Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Charlie Taylor revealed anxiety and screening failures inside the Tinsley House detention facility regarding the returns process.
What is confirmed
- The UK-France one in, one out migrant returns deal is set to expire on Thursday as talks stall.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the scheme costs £56,000 per person returned to France.
Still unconfirmed
- The exchange deal returned around 1,400 people back to France before being wound down.
- The failed migrant returns deal cost the taxpayer £84 million in total.
- Chief Inspector Charlie Taylor revealed anxiety and screening failures at Tinsley House linked to the returns deal.
What to watch next
- Official confirmation from London and Paris regarding the formal termination of the pact on October 1.
- Any subsequent negotiations between the UK and France or the European Union for a replacement returns framework.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.theguardian.com — UK-France ‘one in one out’ deal to expire on Thursday, say ...
- www.independent.co.uk — UK’s flagship one in, one out migrant exchange deal with ...
- www.headlinesorbit.com — UK-France Returns Deal: Tinsley House Report & £56k Cost
- www.gbnews.com — Migrant crisis: Britain's failed 'one in, one out' migrant ...
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UK-France migrant deal costs £56,000 per person
The UK's 'one in, one out' migrant scheme with France costs £56,000 per person returned, according to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The deal aims to balance migrant flows, but France wants to renegotiate or end the agreement when it expires on October 1. The UK has returned 281 migrants to France under the pilot returns agreement.
Why it matters
The UK-France migrant deal is a key aspect of the UK's efforts to manage migrant flows. The agreement aims to ensure that for every person entering the UK, one person is returned to French territory. The high cost per person has raised questions about the effectiveness and financial burden of the bilateral agreement.
What is confirmed
- The UK government pays 56,000 pounds for every migrant returned to France under the one in one out scheme.
- The UK has returned 281 migrants to France under the pilot returns agreement.
- France wants to replace the 'one in, one out' migrant deal with a wider EU-UK agreement.
Still unconfirmed
- France wants Britain to reach a wider deal with the EU to continue cooperation on migrant returns.
What to watch next
- The expiration of the UK-France migrant deal on October 1.
- The UK government's response to France's demands for a wider EU-UK agreement.
- The impact of delays in legal advice for detained migrants on the effectiveness of the migrant returns scheme.
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (6)
- www.mirror.co.uk — 'One in, one out' migrant scheme with France 'could be ...
- www.aol.com — Legal advice delays for detained migrants - report - AOL
- www.dailymail.com — Small boat migrants expecting to be housed in hotels left ...
- londondaily.com — UK Has Returned 281 Migrants to France Under ‘One In, One Out ...
- thoughtsonimmigration.substack.com — Transcript of Home Secretary’s HASC session, appendix to the ...
- uk-eta.com — French Interior Minister Wants to Replace ‘One In, One Out ...
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UK spends 56,000 pounds per person under one in one out migrant scheme
The UK government pays 56,000 pounds for every migrant returned to France under the one in one out scheme. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealed the cost associated with the deal. The arrangement aims to manage migrant flows by ensuring each person entering the UK is balanced by one returned to French territory. This specific per-person expenditure highlights the financial burden of the bilateral agreement on the UK treasury.
Why it matters
The one in one out policy is a diplomatic agreement between the UK and France to control migration. It establishes a reciprocal exchange system for migrants. Legal questions remain regarding whether France has the authority to terminate the deal.
What is confirmed
- The UK pays 56,000 pounds for each person returned to France under the one in one out scheme.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealed the cost of the migrant deal.
What to watch next
- Legal rulings on whether France can end the migrant deal
- Official government reports on total expenditure for the scheme
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (5)
- BBC — 'One in, one out' scheme costs £56,000 per person returned to France, home secretary says
- The Guardian — UK paying £56,000 for each person returned to France under ‘one in one out’ scheme
- The Telegraph — ‘One in, one out’ deal costs £56k per migrant, Mahmood reveals
- The Times — Returning each migrant to France costs £56,000, says Shabana Mahmood
- Diplomacy and Law — One In, One Out Policy: Can France End the UK Migrant Deal?
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