More than 100 migrants currently in detention could be among the first deported to France under the Government's One in, One Out scheme within weeks. The group includes some people arrested over the bank holiday weekend when 900 migrants crossed the English Channel.
A Government source said detentions of those arriving from France have been taking place over the last 24 hours. These small-boat migrants may find themselves being bussed to a detention centre before the day is out.
The pilot scheme with France came into force earlier this month as one of Labour's key policies to tackle the migrant crisis. A record 28,288 people have made the journey across the Channel in small boats this year so far, representing a 46% increase from the same period in 2024.
Political pressure mounts
Sir Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure from senior Labour figures and his own supporters over the Government's handling of the crisis. 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.
Home Office minister Angela Eagle defended the Government's approach ahead of Tuesday's Reform UK announcement. She told critics that 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," Eagle said.
Reform's radical alternative
Nigel Farage will unveil Reform UK's bid to tackle illegal migration on Tuesday with an overhaul of human rights law and mass deportations. The plans include withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and repealing the Human Rights Act.
Only Sky News reports that ECHR withdrawal would leave the UK alongside only Russia and Belarus as non-signatories in Europe. Farage told critics that the current scheme "doesn't work" because asylum seekers "know that they have a 98 per cent chance of staying from the UK."
He added: "The Government made us a big promise. There is thus far zero delivery. The numbers involved are so minimal as to make no difference."
Implementation challenges
Analysis suggests the One in, One Out scheme faces significant operational hurdles. Only the Daily Mail reports that Chris Philp's analysis indicates the scheme will only remove 6% of arrivals, meaning 94% will stay.
The total number of migrants who have arrived since Starmer took office 403 days ago has reached 52,180. Sunday alone saw 212 people cross the Channel in four boats, adding to the mounting pressure on the Government's migration strategy.
Sources used: "Express", "The i", "Evening Standard", "Sky News", "BBC", "Daily Mail"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
