Tories say Labour’s migrant returns scheme only impacts 6% of arrivals

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described Labour’s new migrant returns scheme as a “gimmick” in an interview on Friday, 11 July.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Mr Philp claimed the government's migrant scheme with France would only impact 6 per cent of illegal immigrants arriving in the UK.

“Allowing 94 per cent of illegal immigrants to stay in the UK will be no deterrent whatsoever,” Mr Philp said.

Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan on Thursday to send back small boat migrants, with an asylum seeker being sent to the UK in exchange.