British and French governments reportedly agree extension of agreement that has seen over 1,000 asylum seekers exchanged
The Guardian reported on Saturday that the UK and France have agreed to extend their 'one in, one out' small boats pilot scheme allowing the exchange of asylum seekers until 1 October.
Image credit: WikipediaUnder the terms of an agreement signed in July last year by the British and French governments, asylum seekers who arrive in the UK by small boat can be returned to France in exchange for another individual being transferred legally from France to the UK.
The agreement remains in force until 11 June 2026 but can be renewed upon mutual written agreement.
According to the Guardian, Home Office sources have now indicated that the agreement will be extended until 1 October.
While there was no official statement confirming the extension, a Home Office spokesperson was quoted as saying: "Under our returns agreement with France, we have deported more than 600 illegal migrants from British soil. This contributes to the nearly 60,000 illegal migrants who have been returned since July 2024 up 31% on the 19 months prior. This is just one part of our wider reforms to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to the UK and ramp up the return of those with no right to be here."
Figures cited by the Guardian show that, as of 28 April, 605 people had been returned to France under the scheme, while 581 people have been brought to the UK from France in exchange.