The UK and France have agreed to extend their controversial “one in, one out” asylum scheme until October as both governments continue efforts to reduce small boat crossings across the English Channel.
The pilot agreement, signed last July by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, was originally due to expire on 11 June.
However, Home Office sources confirmed the scheme will now continue until 1 October.
Under the agreement, asylum seekers who arrive in the UK by crossing the Channel in small boats can be returned to France, while another asylum seeker already in France — who has not attempted the crossing — is allowed to enter Britain legally.
The UK and French governments described the arrangement as a “groundbreaking” attempt to disrupt people-smuggling gangs and discourage dangerous Channel crossings.
Despite the scheme, thousands of migrants have continued to attempt the journey across the Channel since the deal was introduced.
Smuggling networks have reportedly adapted by launching more boats from Belgium and offering more expensive routes to Britain using lorries to avoid increased policing on French beaches.
However, official figures show Channel crossings have fallen by around one-third compared with the same period last year, although officials believe poor weather conditions have also played a significant role in reducing departures.
As of 28 April, 605 people had been returned to France under the agreement, while 581 asylum seekers had been transferred legally to the UK.
The extension has sparked criticism from asylum seekers and migrant rights organisations.
One asylum seeker who was returned to France after arriving in Britain by small boat said: “I am so sorry to hear this news. It is truly very upsetting. Extending this decision won’t stop refugees from coming. As we’ve seen the small boats are continuing.”
Another migrant, who was detained under the scheme before later being released to continue his asylum claim in the UK, described fears among asylum seekers facing removal.
“So many people sent back to France have disappeared and nobody knows where they are,” he said.
“One in, one out is very bad but I fear that whatever scheme the UK government comes up with next to stop asylum seekers trying to find safety in the UK will be even worse.”
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants also criticised the extension.
Spokesperson Griff Ferris said: “This scheme amounts to state-sanctioned human trafficking. These are people with hopes, dreams, and loved ones, who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
“We call on the government and the airlines involved to end these inhumane and racist deportations,” Ferris added.
A Home Office spokesperson defended the policy and said the agreement formed part of wider efforts to reduce illegal migration.
“Under our returns agreement with France, we have deported more than 600 illegal migrants from British soil,” the spokesperson said.
“This is just one part of our wider reforms to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to the UK and ramp up the return of those with no right to be here.”