First small boat migrants detained for return to France under new deal
The Government has warned people considering travelling to the UK this way to think again, as they risk being returned and losing the money they pay traffickers
The first small boat arrivals have been detained, the Home Office has confirmed
(Image: PA)
The initial small boat arrivals have been detained for deportation to France under a "groundbreaking" new returns agreement. Detentions started for migrants who reached Kent on Wednesday with those being held anticipated to be sent back within a fortnight. This follows the implementation of a new 'one in one out' agreement with France designed to address perilous crossings.
The Government has cautioned individuals contemplating this route to the UK to reconsider, as they face the prospect of being returned whilst forfeiting money paid to traffickers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the initial wave of detentions as an "important step forward".
This development follows Keir Starmer's praise of a significant UK-France deal to address Channel small boat crossings. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
Ms Cooper stated: "Yesterday, under the terms of this groundbreaking new treaty, the first group of people to cross the Channel were detained after their arrival at Western Jet Foil and will now be held in detention until they can be returned to France.
"That sends a message to every migrant currently thinking of paying organised crime gangs to go to the UK that they will be risking their lives and throwing away their money if they get into a small boat.", reports the Mirror.
"No one should be making this illegal and dangerous journey that undermines our border security and lines the pockets of the criminal gangs."
The Government maintains that the returns agreement - the first with mainland Europe since Brexit - represents a breakthrough in its efforts to tackle smuggling gangs.
The fresh initiative will operate until June of next year initially, with sources indicating that as many as 50 individuals weekly could be sent back - approximately 2,600 annually. In return, those with valid claims to reside in the UK will be permitted to travel from France.
Ms Cooper added: "Criminal gangs have spent seven years embedding themselves along our border and it will take time to unravel them, but these detentions are an important step towards undermining their business model and unravelling the false promises they make.
"These are the early days for this pilot scheme, and it will develop over time. But we are on track to do what no other government has done since this crisis first started - sending small boat arrivals back to France and strengthening our borders through the Plan for Change."
The Home Office declared in a statement: "Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and Home Office officials will continue to work round the clock over the coming weeks to identify and detain individuals under the treaty, and undertake the necessary processes to prepare them for their return to France."
According to the arrangement, which was established during a UK-France summit in July, individuals permitted entry to the UK will undergo prior screening to determine whether they might present a security risk.
However, these measures have been criticised by human rights organisations, which are urging the Government to create more safe and legal pathways.
Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK's refugee and migrant rights director, remarked: "A returns deal with France that makes access to safety in the UK - even for those with close family or connections here - dependent on someone else risking their life to cross the Channel only cements the role of smugglers in how people fleeing war and persecution must seek asylum in the UK.
"Once again, refugees are treated like parcels, not people, while the public is left to pay the price for, yet another cruel, costly failure dressed up as policy."
Louise Calvey, executive director at Asylum Matters, condemned the move as "yet another attack on the human right to seek sanctuary". She commented: "It's a grubby trade in human lives that will do nothing more than remove people from this country back into the hands of people smugglers.
"It will send them back to French shores where they'll face escalating police violence: boats being slashed with families onboard, children being teargassed, violence which we know makes Channel crossings even more dangerous."
The Home Office also disclosed on Monday a £100 million enhancement to border security, which includes funding for up to 300 additional National Crime Agency Officers. This investment will also support a trial of the 'one-in, one-out' returns agreement with France.
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