UK Starmer's Channel Scheme: UK's Bold Border Move Begins

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of AP

 

The UK-French "one-in, one-out" pilot scheme, aimed at reducing small boat Channel crossings, has officially begun. This bold initiative will see illegal migrants arriving in the UK detained and returned to France, while the UK will accept an equal number of pre-screened asylum seekers from France.

 

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, praised the plan as the fruit of "grown-up diplomacy," claiming it promises genuine results. However, conservatives have criticised the scheme, insisting it will have little impact. The scheme, announced in July by Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron, cleared EU legal checks, allowing it to proceed.

 

Under the new rules, migrants crossing the Channel into the UK can be returned to France if their asylum claim is inadmissible. UK law prohibits deporting asylum seekers until their claims are reviewed, but they can be sent to willing safe third countries.

 

Although the government hasn't specified numbers, reports suggest 50 migrants might be returned each week, against a backdrop of over 800 weekly crossings. The pilot is not expected to halt the crossings completely but aims to discourage the perilous journey amid rising numbers this year.

 

As of 30 July, over 25,000 have crossed in 2025, marking a 49% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The government, under pressure to deliver on its promise to tackle people-smuggling gangs, views the scheme as a significant move.

 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the initiative "groundbreaking," emphasising the need for managed and legal refugee processes. Cooper also announced £100m to fund 300 National Crime Agency officers to combat people smuggling networks.

 

Conversely, Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp argues the plan lacks potency compared to the previous Rwanda scheme, halted by Labour. He claimed the Rwanda strategy would have been far more compelling as a deterrent, reported the BBC.

 

The charity Asylum Matters has voiced strong criticism, asserting the true solution lies in providing safe sanctuary routes. However, the true efficacy of this daring pilot remains uncertain as crossings continue.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-08-05

 

[Thingamabob]

A 'bold border move'. Nonsense. It will achieve nothing.

[brewsterbudgen]

30 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

A 'bold border move'. Nonsense. It will achieve nothing.

 

Agree. I wish Labour would stop pandering to the Right.

[black tabby12345]

52 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

A 'bold border move'. Nonsense. It will achieve nothing.

 

Absolutely.

Simply swapping same numbers of trouble makers each other?

The most stupid scheme ever heard of.

[James105]

On 8/5/2025 at 8:50 AM, webfact said:

The UK-French "one-in, one-out" pilot scheme

 

Misinformation.  It is not a one in one out policy otherwise the limit would be set to 5000 per week, not 50 per week. 

 

"As of 30 July, over 25,000 have crossed in 2025, marking a 49% increase compared to the same period in 2024."

 

This is the only growth that Labour can point to, which has surprised absolutely nobody when they abandoned the 3rd country processing option and adopted the smash belly-rub the gangs policy.

[James105]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Agree. I wish Labour would stop pandering to the Right.

 

They are already tanking in the polls.  How much further do you want them to sink?  I thought I detested Labour more than most but you must really hate them if you want them to listen to the people even less than they are.   

 

[norfolkandchance]

1 out 17 in.

[Donga]

The hypocrisy and deception of NGOs like Asylum Matters is breathtaking.