Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of having “surrendered” the UK’s immigration system amid plans for a one in, one out asylum exchange with France. The policy, which aims to slash the number of small boat arrivals, could be unveiled next week to mark Sir Keir’s first year in power.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP said: “We pay the French half a billion pounds to wave the boats off from Calais, and in return we get a migrant merry-go-round where the same number still come here. The French are failing to stop the boats at sea, failing to return them like the Belgians do, and now, instead of demanding real enforcement, Labour are trying a one in, one out gimmick.

“If Labour were serious, they would not have scrapped the returns deterrent the National Crime Agency said we needed – instead, they’ve surrendered our immigration system. Pathetic.”

A percentage of asylum seekers will be returned to France on landing in Britain, it is understood. Reports suggested the same number of applicants at the asylum processing centre in Paris will be accepted.

More than 16,545 people have crossed in small boats so far in 2025, according to Home Office figures – a 45% increase on the same period in 2024.

Migrants have continued to arrive in small boats despite the French appearing to take a tougher stance on their beaches.

Sir Keir warned last week that the situation was “deteriorating” and threatened a visa crackdown.

The Prime Minister signalled that countries that did not do enough to tackle the irregular migration crisis, for example by taking back failed asylum seekers, could face repercussions in the number of visas issued to their citizens.

Sir Keir’s message came as French police were seen to employ more robust tactics on the beaches this week, including using tear gas.

But they were also seen to stand by and watch once migrants had entered the water to board a dinghy in the hope of crossing the English Channel.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.