THE first migrants have been flown in from France under the “one-in, one-out” scheme.
A family of three – including a small child – arrived on a commercial flight to Britain today after going through security vetting.
The deal is designed to deter small boat crossings[/caption]
It comes after four small boat arrivals were returned to France in recent weeks.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The UK-France deal is a historic agreement, and these are critical first steps.
“This is a clear message to people-smuggling gangs that illegal entry into the UK will not be tolerated.
“We will continue to detain and remove those who arrive by small boat.
“And we will work with France to operate a legal route for an equal number of eligible migrants to come to the UK subject to security checks.”
Labour believes the deal with Emmanuel Macron will break the business model of the people smuggling gangs.
However almost 10,000 people have crossed the Channel since the arrangement was announced in the summer.
Critics have branded it too small scale to discourage asylum seekers from making the journey to Britain.
Sir Keir Starmer said today: “I’m focused on real, workable solutions to tackle illegal immigration. Not gimmicks.
“Returning people with no right to be here, seizing hundreds of boats and working with international partners to smash the gangs. That’s how we are securing our borders.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has suffered a legal setback after an appeal by an Eritrean man earmarked for deportation.
