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Prime ministers

UK and France Agree to Pilot Scheme for Returning Small Boat Asylum Seekers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The UK Prime Minister has announced an agreement with the French President to pilot a scheme that returns asylum seekers who arrive in the UK by small boat back to France, in exchange for accepting asylum seekers from France who can demonstrate a genuine family link to the UK. The scheme, known as "one in, one out," aims to break the model of people smuggling gangs and will be tested first before being gradually ramped up. The pilot scheme is expected to see up to 50 asylum seekers a week being returned to France, with the same number coming in exchange to the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK and France have agreed to a pilot scheme that returns asylum seekers who arrive in the UK by small boat back to France.
  • The scheme, known as "one in, one out," will accept asylum seekers from France who can demonstrate a genuine family link to the UK.
  • The pilot scheme is expected to see up to 50 asylum seekers a week being returned to France, with the same number coming in exchange to the UK.
  • The scheme aims to break the model of people smuggling gangs and will be tested first before being gradually ramped up.
  • The agreement will be finalised and signed pending legal review and approval by the European Commission and EU Member States.
  • Refugee Action has criticised the Prime Minister for trivialising life-and-death decisions faced by people seeking safety.
  • Asylum Matters has described the pilot scheme as "another expensive, ineffective, dangerous Rwanda-style gimmick."
  • The UNHCR has welcomed the announcement of the pilot scheme, provided it is appropriately implemented.
  • The Refugee Council has stressed the importance of maintaining the UK's role as a safe haven for those fleeing conflict and persecution.

Statistics:

  • Up to 50 asylum seekers a week are expected to be returned to France under the pilot scheme.
  • The same number of asylum seekers is expected to come to the UK in exchange.
  • The pilot scheme is scheduled to start "within a few weeks" pending legal review and approval by the European Commission and EU Member States.

Sources:

  • The Prime Minister's office
  • The Home Office
  • The Times
  • Refugee Action
  • Asylum Matters
  • The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

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