Sir Keir Starmer has been slammed after it has emerged that Labour is refusing to rule out plans for a “one-for-one” migrant removals agreement with France.
The pilot scheme could see a person deported from the UK in exchange for the French sending another individual across the Channel.
The UK and other European countries are “exploring fresh and innovative measures to dismantle the business models of the criminal smuggling gangs,” Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said.
She said that discussions are “ongoing” but did not specifically say what a future deal could look like.
'Labour has completely lost control of our borders and their election pledge to ‘smash the gangs’ lies in tatters', Chris Philp said
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The pilot scheme could see a person deported from the UK in exchange for the French sending another individual across the Channel
PA
Speaking to Sky News, Greenwood said Labour are “focused on fixing the broken asylum system” that they have inherited from the Tories via the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
“We know that we’re only going to be able to fix that… It’s not a short-term issue, this is going to take really hard work to tackle those organised gangs that are preying on people, putting their lives in danger as they try to cross the Channel to the UK.
“Of course, that’s going to involve conversations with our counterparts on the European continent.”
France’s Interior Ministry told the BBC that the scheme would be based on a “one-for-one principle”, and that the country is trying to “discourage migrants and smuggling networks from attempting to reach the UK from France”.
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The Government and other European countries are 'exploring fresh and innovative measures to dismantle the business models of the criminal smuggling gangs,' Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said
GB NewsChris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said that the new proposal “won’t even reduce numbers arriving” and that Labour’s pledge to smash the gangs “lies in tatters”.
He claimed: “This plan won’t work because it will only see ‘small numbers’ of illegal immigrants returned to France. By definition, the vast majority crossing the channel illegally will get to stay in the UK - so there is no deterrent.
“The only way to deter these illegal crossings is to remove everyone who arrives. That’s why we had a plan ready to do this - Rwanda - but Labour scrapped it before it started, with no replacement.
“This new proposal won’t even reduce numbers arriving - because for each illegal immigrant send back to France, another will come to the UK.”
Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said that the new proposal 'won’t even reduce numbers arriving'
PAHe also said that under Starmer’s leadership, 2025 has become the “worst year on record for illegal Channel crossings”.
“Labour has completely lost control of our borders and their election pledge to ‘smash the gangs’ lies in tatters.”
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson added: “Instead of negotiating trade-style agreements concerning migrants, the focus should be on securing and closing our borders.
“Such a strategy would be more effective, less costly, and far simpler.”
