The government is eager to address the small boat crisis, with the first deportations of migrants to France set to commence this week. Asylum seekers who arrived via small boats will be repatriated to France starting as early as Monday as part of an agreement between Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. The initial group of migrants was detained on August 6 under this new initiative, where the UK will return individuals to France in exchange for those approved to enter the UK.
Over 30,000 individuals have crossed the perilous Channel to reach Britain this year, marking the earliest point this milestone has been reached since records began in 2018. This development follows tensions over housing asylum seekers in hotels during the summer months.
Peter Kyle expressed eagerness to tackle the migration crisis inherited from the Conservatives and emphasized the importance of cooperation with France. The hope is for the deportation flights to commence promptly to address the situation effectively.
The Home Office confirmed that under the new UK-France treaty, individuals arriving via small boats can now be detained and returned to France. The first returns are expected to happen soon, as safeguarding the UK border remains a top priority for the government to restore order and enhance border security.