The UK and France are reportedly in discussions over a migrants removal deal involving a “one-in, one-out” exchange agreement.
Under the deal, an individual being deported from the UK would be exchanged for another individual sent from France who has the right to live in Britain.
People with a legitimate case to be reunited with close family members would be among those arriving in the UK.
The Times is reporting that the deal could be announced as early as next week to coincide with Sir Keir Starmer’s one-year anniversary in 10 Downing Street.
The discussions are aimed at breaking the smuggling gangs using small boats for English Channel crossings.
The number of migrants arriving on small boats has hit a record high of more than 18,000 so far this year - 42% higher than this time last year.
The highest year of total arrivals on record was 2022, at 45,774.
The deal would begin through a small pilot scheme designed to show “proof of concept”, The Times reports.
A government source told the newspaper: “It’ll start as a pilot but it’s to prove the point that if you pay for your passage on a boat then you could quite quickly find yourself back in France.”
It comes as the UK government accelerates plans for “world-first” sanctions on people smuggling gangs.
Earlier this week the Standard revealed how the crackdown on criminals who traffic migrants to Britain in small boats is set to come into force within months.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is understood to have already identified suspects for sanctions and they would be ready to go when the legislation is passed by Parliament, which is expected to be before the Autumn.
The government insisted “nothing is off the table”, with penalties set to include UK include travel bans, asset freezes and disqualification from being the director of a British company.
