The UK is set to begin sending asylum seekers back to France as part of the ‘One in, One Out’ deal within weeks. More than 100 people are reportedly set to be returned amid a surge in small boat crossings in the English Channel.

The deal is one of Labour’s key policies to try to tackle the crisis, with 900 migrants reportedly crossing the Channel over the bank holiday weekend. The pilot scheme with France came into force earlier this month and the Government has been under growing pressure and criticism, with political opponents claiming it will not work. A record 28,288 people have made the journey across the Channel in small boats this year so far, after 212 people did so on Sunday in four boats, making the total 46% more than by the same date in 2024.

A record 28,288 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats this year so far (Image: Getty)

According to The Times, a group of 100-plus migrants currently in detention, including some arrested over the weekend, could be among the first to be sent back to France under the One in, One Out scheme.

Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from senior Labour figures and his own supporters, who feel the Government’s attempts to tackle the migrant crisis have so far failed.

YouGov polling released over the weekend found that 71% of voters believe the Prime Minister is handling the asylum hotel issue badly, including 56% of Labour supporters.

Nigel Farage hit out again at Sir Keir’s plans ahead of unveiling Reform UK’s bid to tackle illegal migration with an overhaul of human rights law and mass deportations on Tuesday.

He told The Times that the scheme “doesn’t work”, adding: “They [asylum seekers] know that they have a 98 per cent chance of staying from the UK.

“The Government made us a big promise. There is thus far zero delivery. The numbers involved are so minimal as to make no difference. It isn’t going to work, it isn’t going to happen. The French aren’t there to help us.”

A Government source told the newspaper: “Detentions of those arriving from France have been taking place over the last 24 hours, so these small-boat migrants may end up finding themselves being bussed to a detention centre before the day is out.”

Meanwhile, Home Office minister Angela Eagle told The Guardian both Reform and the Tories offered nothing more than “fantasy solutions” to the crisis.

“These are back-of-the-fag-packet plans without the substance on delivery,” she said ahead of Mr Farage’s announcement on Tuesday.