Starmer and Macron announce UK-France illegal migration pact and defence cooperation

A government source said they were looking at about 50 returns a week, or 2,600 a year, a fraction of the more than 35,000 arrivals reported by the government last year. Another source said the scheme could be scaled up.

More than 21,000 people have arrived on small boats so far in 2025, a record number for this stage of the year.

Fabian Hamilton, a lawmaker in Starmer's unpopular Labour Party, said he was, "sceptical that this is the answer".

"Migration pull factors"

The policy, which is similar to a scheme used by the EU and Turkey, carries risks for Macron from his political critics who may question why he has agreed to take back illegal migrants wanting to live in Britain.

Macron criticised Britain's decision to leave the European Union, saying, "a lot of people in your country explained that Brexit would allow you to fight more efficiently against illegal immigration" but that it resulted in "the exact opposite".

He had earlier called on Britain to address "migration pull factors", suggesting it should be harder for illegal migrants in Britain to find work without legal residential status.