Britain Expects EU Approval for Migration Returns Deal with France

Strategic Insights -

Britain expects the European Union to approve its migration returns deal with France, a move that would mark a significant cooperation between the two countries. The deal, announced on Thursday by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, would involve the return of some migrants who cross the Channel in small boats to France, in exchange for asylum seekers being moved from France to the UK. The pilot scheme has been in the works since October last year, with the British and French interior ministers working together to develop it. While many details of the scheme remain unclear, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed confidence that the EU would sign off on the pilot, citing the support of EU commissioners and other European interior ministers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The British government expects the European Union to approve its migration returns deal with France, which would mark the first time France has agreed to take back some of those who cross the Channel.
  • The deal, announced on Thursday by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, would involve the return of some migrants who cross the Channel in small boats to France, in exchange for asylum seekers being moved from France to the UK.
  • The pilot scheme has been in the works since October last year, with the British and French interior ministers working together to develop it.
  • Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed confidence that the EU would sign off on the pilot, citing the support of EU commissioners and other European interior ministers.
  • The scheme would not specify the exact number of people to be returned, but sources suggest that it would initially apply to just 50 people a week, about 6% of the average weekly total.
  • Critics, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, have argued that the numbers would be "tiny" and that the deal would not be an effective deterrent against migrants attempting to cross the Channel.
  • The pilot scheme would not be GDPR compliant until legally ratified.
  • 94% of illegal immigrants will potentially remain in the UK.

Statistics:

  • The pilot scheme has been in the works since October last year.
  • 50 people per week will be initially returned to France under the pilot scheme, which is approximately 6% of the average weekly total.
  • 94% of illegal immigrants will potentially remain in the UK.
  • Up to 6% of weekly migrants will be returned to France.

Sources:

  • "Britain expected the EU to approve its migration returns deal with France, the home secretary has said".
  • "Yvette Cooper has expressed confidence that the EU would sign off on the pilot scheme, citing the support of EU commissioners and other European interior ministers".
  • "The pilot scheme has been in the works since October last year, with the British and French interior ministers working together to develop it".
  • "Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: 'The numbers will be tiny ... We will be allowing 94% of illegal immigrants to remain in the UK, which is no deterrent whatsoever.'"
  • "The Prime Minister's Office for Media and Communications".