Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has refused to rebuke Emmanuel Macron’s claim Brexit was to blame for the rise of small boats crossing the English Channel.
Ms Cooper said “criminal smuggler gangs will weaponise anything that is happening” when asked if the French president had a point.
A “one in, one out” migrant deal was reached between the UK and France on Thursday during Mr Macron’s three-day state visit to Britain.
Under the scheme, migrants arriving in the UK will be sent back to France in exchange for those with genuine claims to be in the UK.
French media reports indicate up to 50 migrants a week will be returned – only a small fraction of the weekly average of 782.
Even as the deal was being finalised, migrants crossing the Channel in small boats were brought to Dover by Border Force vessels.
On Friday, pictures showed a Border Force boat bringing several migrants, wearing lifejackets, to Dover, Kent.
Key Points
- Cooper refuses to say if she agrees with Macron’s Brexit criticism
- Home secretary refuses to say how many migrants to be returned under deal
- Small boats in English Channel hours after UK-France deal
- Macron blames Brexit for rise in English Channel crossings
- Starmer announces 'groundbreaking' one in, one out migration deal
Starmer and Macron are up against a small boats crisis – but how many migrants cross the Channel and who gets turned away?
10:22 , Alexander Butler
How many migrants cross the Channel – and how many are stopped?
Yvette Cooper refuses to say if she agrees with Macron’s Brexit criticism
10:11 , Alexander ButlerYvette Cooper has refused to say whether she agreed with Emmanuel Macron’s claim that Brexit had made tackling illegal immigration harder.
It comes after the French president said voters were “sold a lie” on Brexit when they were told it would “make it possible to fight more effectively against illegal immigration”.
Unveiling a new one-in-one-out returns agreement with the UK, the French president said that because Brexit left the UK without a returns agreement with the EU: “it creates an incentive to make the crossing, the precise opposite of what Brexit had promised”.
Asked whether Mr Macron had a point about Brexit, the home secretary told Sky News: “I think what I’ve seen happen is that the way that the criminal smuggler gangs operate is that they will weaponise anything that is happening.”
Yvette Cooper: 'Safe routes alone won’t stop boat crossings, we must go after criminal gangs'
09:43 , Alexander ButlerStarmer and Macron agree ‘groundbreaking’ one in, one out migration deal as hundreds cross Channel in small boats
09:34 , Alexander Butler
Starmer and Macron agree ‘groundbreaking’ migration deal as hundreds cross Channel
Migration deal needs EU approval before next week
09:20The one in, one out migrant return scheme set out by Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Macron is due to begin within weeks, but still needs final legal verification and consultation with the European Union.
Ms Cooper said ministers expected the EU to be “supportive” of the scheme after engagement with European governments and commissioners in Brussels since October last year.
Yvette Cooper refuses to say if she agrees with Macron’s Brexit criticism
09:10 , Alexander Butler
Yvette Cooper refuses to say if she agrees with Macron’s Brexit criticism
Starmer's migration deal 'gimmick', says shadow Home Secretary
09:00 , Alexander ButlerThe UK’s migrant returns deal with France is a “gimmick” that will not deter people from crossing the Channel, the shadow home secretary has said.
Asked about Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement of the deal, Conservative MP Chris Philp told Sky News: “I’m afraid it’s not groundbreaking, it is a gimmick just like his absurd claim a year ago to be smashing the gangs, which has totally failed.”
Referring to reports that only 50 people a week could be sent back to France under the scheme, Mr Philp added: “Quite clearly, if 94% of illegal immigrants arriving get to stay here, there’s going to be no deterrent effect whatsoever, so it’s not going to work.
“And unfortunately, these record-ever numbers of illegal immigrants entering the UK, unfortunately, are set to continue.”
Mr Philp also called for the reintroduction of the Rwanda scheme, claiming this would have seen everyone arriving in the UK by small boat sent to the East African nation.
Small boats in English Channel hours after UK-France deal
08:46 , Alexander ButlerSeveral migrants were brought ashore by the RNLI this morning after small boats were spotted crossing the English Channel.
Pictures showed a Border Force boat bringing migrants, wearing lifejackets, to Dover, Kent.
It comes just hours after Sir Keir Starmer announced a “groundbreaking” migration deal with France.
Under the “one in, one out” scheme, migrants will be sent back to France in exchange for those with genuine claims to be in the UK.
Watch: Former MI6 boss backs calls for digital ID cards to help deter small boat crossings
08:39 , Alexander ButlerUK-France deal 'only scratching surface', immigration services union says
08:29 , Alexander ButlerLucy Moreton of the Immigration Services Union has said the deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron is only “scratching a very bare minimum of the surface”.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The principle makes sense and I get the idea that it’s the start, we’ve not been able to get the French to accept someone back since Brexit.
“So from that perspective, yes, it’s a really good start, but it’s only scratching a very bare minimum of the surface and we need to be able to go a lot further if it’s going to do anything other than simply put more money into criminal gangs.”
Asked how long members would need to actually get it up and running, she said: “As long as we know what it is that they’re being asked to do and as long as the removal method is in place, then it can be done within hours.
“If it’s a matter of identifying that individual standing there and put them on that ferry or that plane, it can be done easily.
“The issue is going to be around how you identify that individual and any legal challenge that flows from that and it’s entirely possible that this may come into force next week, but the legal challenge that arises from it could take a year.”
Number of migrants to be returned to France has not been 'fixed' - Cooper
07:57 , Tom BarnesThe Home Secretary declined to say how many migrants would be returned under new arrangements with France, saying the figures had not been “fixed”.
Yvette Cooper told Times Radio: “The numbers are not fixed, even for this pilot phase that we are starting now.
“So this will be a programme that we roll out step-by-step, and we will provide updates as we go.
“But we are going to do this in a steady way.”
UK economy shrinks for second month in a row
07:47 , Tom BarnesThe UK economy shrunk in May even after US president Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs were paused, according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.1 per cent in May. Experts had expected slight growth of 0.1 per cent in May.
It followed a 0.3 per cent drop in April, when US president Donald Trump announced his country-specific tariffs and sparked a global trade war.
UK economy shrinks for second month in a row after unexpected slump in May
Crackdown on illegal working promised alongside migrant return deal with France
07:26 , Tom BarnesA “nationwide blitz” will target migrants working illegally, as part of the effort to deter people from seeking to reach the UK from France.
Ministers hope to tackle the “pull factors” attracting migrants to the UK alongside the deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to send some people who reach England in small boats straight back to France.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said there had already been a “major surge in immigration enforcement activity” but officials have indicated that will be further increased in illegal working “hotspots”.
Ms Cooper said: “This new pilot agreement with France is extremely important and allows us for the first time to return people who have paid to travel here illegally, and will sit alongside our wider joint enforcement action, including disrupting supply chains to seize boats and engines, shutting down social media accounts, and targeting finances.
“Since last summer, we have returned over 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK and a major surge in immigration enforcement activity, with a 51% increase in the number of illegal working arrests.”
In numbers: How many migrants cross Channel and who is turned away?
07:00 , Jane DaltonHow many migrants cross the Channel – and how many are stopped?
Editorial: Deal is a promising start
05:55 , Jane DaltonIf migrants knew they could not stay in the UK, they would stop trying to cross the Channel altogether:
Arrival numbers rise two years running
04:44 , Jane Dalton
Watch: Starmer takes veiled swipe at Farage
03:30 , Jane DaltonDeal will be no deterrent, say Tories
02:00 , Jane DaltonOpposition politicians were scathing about the migrants deal.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "Labour's deal will only return one in every 17 illegal immigrants arriving.
"Allowing 94% of illegal immigrants to stay will make no difference whatsoever and have no deterrent effect.
"This is the latest catastrophic example that when Labour negotiates, the UK loses."
How migrants may win right to stay in UK
Friday 11 July 2025 00:45 , Jane DaltonUnder the new plan, migrants in France may express an interest in applying for asylum to the UK through an online platform developed by the Home Office, and be subject to visa application checks.
Priority will be given to people from countries considered to have genuine refugees, those most likely to be exploited by smuggling gangs and also asylum-seekers with connections to the UK.
New arrivals will be screened at the Manston processing centre, in Kent, which is current procedure. Any set to be returned will be held in an immigration removal centre.
Analysis: Macron and Starmer still won’t stop the boats
Thursday 10 July 2025 23:35 , Jane DaltonThis could go down as another misjudged policy decision by Sir Keir Starmer, writes Mary Dejevsky:
Deal or no deal, Macron and Starmer still won’t stop the boats
Macron blames Brexit for rise in crossings
Thursday 10 July 2025 22:15 , Jane DaltonEmmanuel Macron blamed Brexit for a rise in the number of small boats crossing the Channel.
The French president said the British people had been "sold a lie" that leaving the EU would "make it possible to fight more effectively against illegal immigration".
Pointing to the fact that the UK had "no migratory deal" with the EU after Brexit, Mr Macron said: "It creates an incentive to make the crossing, the precise opposite of what Brexit had promised."
Mr Macron also hailed previous success in preventing illegal crossings of the Channel by road and rail prior to Brexit.
Pictured: Migrants arrive just as deal sealed
Thursday 10 July 2025 21:30 , Jane Dalton
Prime minister vows to go further if scheme works
Thursday 10 July 2025 20:54 , Jane DaltonSir Keir Starmer promised to take the pilot project further if it is successful.
“This is a scheme intended to break the model - to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat you will end up where you started,” Sir Keir said.
“The numbers, if successful, will ramp up.
“It is groundbreaking and it’s no wonder that for years British governments have been trying to secure a deal because all governments have realised how important this is.”
Starmer and Macron are up against a small boats crisis – but how many migrants cross the Channel and who gets turned away?
Thursday 10 July 2025 20:00 , Tara CobhamMigration on small boats across the English Channel is on track to reach its highest-ever levels this year, with numbers breaking records even before the summer peak begins.
More than 21,000 migrants have already crossed the Channel from France this year – up 55 per cent from the same period in 2024 – meaning Sir Keir Starmer is on track to oversee the highest year for small boats migration to the UK on record.
Last year proved to be the deadliest for channel migration, with 73 migrants dying while making the crossing, but it appears the situation is only set to get worse.
The Independent’s data correspondent Alicja Hagopian reports:
How many migrants cross the Channel – and how many are stopped?
Red Cross calls on government to 'see the people behind the numbers'
Thursday 10 July 2025 19:45 , Tara CobhamThe British Red Cross has called on the government to “see the people behind the numbers” in response to Sir Keir Starmer’s migration deal.
Alex Fraser, Director of Refugee Services for the British Red Cross, said: “Today’s announcement has the potential to help some people who are desperately trying to reach safety in the UK - but this shouldn't be at the expense of denying other people protection.
“To meaningfully reduce the number of people taking these dangerous journeys and prevent further loss of life, we want to see the government create a safe protection route that is more inclusive, and that sees the people behind the numbers.
"Those crossing the Channel are human beings - women, children and men who have already endured unimaginable trauma and suffering. We must never lose sight of this.”
Explained: What is Starmer and Macron’s ‘one-in, one out’ migrant deal and will it work?
Thursday 10 July 2025 19:30 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have struck a landmark deal to deter migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats.
The “one-in, one-out” agreement will see some of those who arrive in the UK illegally via the Channel sent straight back for the first time since Brexit, with Britain taking an equivalent number of migrants from France in return.
The deal came after days of talks between the prime minister and French president, with the small boats crisis dominating the agenda during Mr Macron’s state visit.
The Independent’s politics team explains:
What is Starmer and Macron’s ‘one-in, one out’ migrant deal and will it work?
'Grubby deal that trades human lives': Care4Calais react to Starmer's agreement struck with France
Thursday 10 July 2025 19:15 , Tara CobhamCare4Calais’ CEO has described Sir Keir Starmer’s migration agreement struck with France as “a grubby deal between two governments that trades human lives”.
Steve Smith said: “This has the potential to be the Labour government’s Rwanda. A grubby deal between two governments that trades human lives. A deal that will likely be expensive, will make life harder for people who seek safety in the UK, but ultimately will do nothing to tackle the root cause of Channel crossings - a lack of safe routes.
“In opposition, Keir Starmer railed against Tory gimmicks. Now he’s creating his own. The ‘new enforcement tactics’ he lauds will only risk more lives as French Police hostility, such as intercepting boats in the water, forces people to take ever dangerous measures in order to seek sanctuary in the UK.”
Full story: Starmer and Marcon agree ‘groundbreaking’ one in, one out migration deal as hundreds cross Channel in small boats
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:59 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron have agreed a “groundbreaking” one in, one out migration deal - just hours after hundreds made the perilous journey across the English Channel to the UK.
At the end of a historic three-day state visit by the French president, he and the prime minister announced a pilot scheme which could see around 50 illegal migrants arriving in small boats returned to France each week in exchange for asylum seekers being held there.
But just hours earlier, around 220 people, including 70 in one boat, were brought to shore in Dover by Border Force officials.
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Starmer and Marcon agree ‘groundbreaking’ migration deal as hundreds cross Channel
Starmer's one-in, one-out deal is an 'impractical unrealistic distraction', Denyer says
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:42 , Tara CobhamGreen Party co-leader Carla Denyer has described Sir Keir Starmer’s one-in, one-out deal as an “impractical and unrealistic distraction”.
She said: “The only way to stop people making dangerous journeys across the channel is to introduce safe and managed routes for people to seek asylum in the UK. Anything else – including the impractical and unrealistic deal announced today – is a distraction.
“While our governments use migration as a political football, more people will lose their lives in the Channel fleeing violence, war or oppression because the only way for them to reach the UK is by putting their lives in the hands of people smugglers.
“Instead of scrambling to appear tough on migration with flawed scheme after flawed scheme, it’s time for the UK government to get practical about tackling small boat crossings, and urgently set up safe and managed routes for people to seek asylum in the UK.”
Comment: Deal or no deal, Macron and Starmer still won’t stop the boats
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:25 , Tara CobhamThe relationship between the UK and France was one of the most conspicuous casualties of Brexit process. So there will have been big sighs of relief in Downing Street at the evident success of Emmanuel Macron’s State Visit to the UK and the summit that followed.
The French president took a full three days out of his schedule to spend in this country – that is a long time by today’s standards. Ceremonial Britain, for its part, pulled out all the stops.
The sun shone, the flags flew – and the undoubted result is an improved diplomatic atmosphere that should help to consign some of the adverse Brexit fall-out to the past. To the extent that better diplomatic relations improve the prospects for solving, rather than just smoothing over, aggravations, a new chapter has opened.
Mary Dejevsky writes:
Deal or no deal, Macron and Starmer still won’t stop the boats
IRC condemns Starmer's migration deal as 'another step in wrong direction'
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:14 , Tara CobhamInternational Rescue Committee has condemned Sir Keir Starmer’s migration deal, describing it as “another step in the wrong direction”.
Flora Alexander, Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee UK, said: "This agreement marks yet another step in the wrong direction – doubling down on deterrence rather than offering meaningful protection. Evidence shows that these policies don't stop people from seeking safety – they simply force them into more perilous journeys, putting lives at risk.
“Proposals such as a 'one-in, one-out' scheme risk undermining the right to seek asylum, a core principle of international law. They ignore the root causes of why people cross borders in the first place – to escape conflict, persecution and crisis. Border security must not come at the expense of human rights or the UK's moral and legal obligations."
Refugee Council chief urges 'comprehensive approach' to small boats crisis
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:13 , Tara CobhamThe CEO of the Refugee Council cautiously welcomed the one in, one out deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer with France but urged a “comprehensive approach” to the small boats crisis.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said: “The PM is right to say that the UK must continue to offer a haven for those in need. It’s essential people can make an asylum application, be that in Britain or France, and are treated with dignity, including getting legal advice.
“Men, women and children fleeing oppressive regimes like the Taliban and brutal civil wars such as in Sudan should not need to risk their lives on boats to reach safety in Britain. Greater cooperation with France is welcome, but for any solution to work long term the government must adopt a comprehensive approach, including international cooperation, steps to prosecute the gangs and, critically, different safe and legal ways to reach Britain from conflicts such as those in Sudan and also for those with family members in the UK.
“Enabling refugee families to reunite is a vital path to safety and while this deal may support some families to reunite from France, we remain concerned about other proposals to restrict this lifeline.
“The groundbreaking one for one deal with France is an important first step but it’s vital that it is implemented in a way that treats all those seeking asylum fairly and with respect and dignity. For now, it’s too soon to determine what the impact will be.”
Watch: Starmer reaffirms European commitment to Ukraine after Macron meeting
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:10 , Tara CobhamStarmer describes one in, one out scheme as 'breakthrough moment'
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:09 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer said the one in, one out system was a “breakthrough moment” in efforts to tackle the English Channel issue.
The prime minister said the pilot scheme was important “to prove the concept that if you come over by small boats, then you will be returned to France”.
“Of course, being a pilot, it is very important that it works, and we need to make sure that it does work. And if it works, what it does is break the model, and that’s the only way, in the end, to stop this vile trade.”
He would not give details of how people will be selected to be sent back to France, but added: “It is important that we see this for what it is, which is a real breakthrough in the way that we tackle the vile trade of people smuggling.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said it was a “collaborative, co-operative and comprehensive plan”, beginning with work in the countries of origin of the migrants seeking to reach the UK.
He said it would have a “deterrent effect” beyond the numbers involved int he pilot project, reported to be just 50 migrants a week.
Watch: Starmer takes swipe at Farage in migrant deal announcement with Macron
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:07
Starmer takes swipe at Nigel Farage over Channel stunt
Thursday 10 July 2025 18:05 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has taken a swipe at Nigel Farage, who was out filming migrants crossing the Channel this morning.
“While we have been working hard to get a returns agreement, others have just been taking pictures”, Sir Keir said.
He once again repeated his promise to deliver “quiet diplomacy”, not the “performative politics of the easy answers”.
The PM’s words came in response to a question about his struggling premiership, amid sluggish approval ratings and the soaring threat of Reform UK.
Referencing his new migrant returns deal with France, he added: “It’s really important in this age to show that social democracy has the answers.”
Tackling irregular migration 'requires serious, pragmatic response', Starmer says
Thursday 10 July 2025 17:56 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer said tackling irregular migration “requires a serious, pragmatic response” rather than “the performative politics of the easy answers”.
His comments came as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage spent the day on a boat in the English Channel while migrants were spotted making the trip.
Speaking alongside Emmanuel Macron, Sir Keir said: “It is very important that we are able to show, collectively, the two of us as leaders of two great nations, confronting this threat, that social democracy can prevail and provide the answers to these serious problems.
“Because otherwise, the easy answers get an airing.
“And it is of some significance, I think, that whilst we have been working hard to get the returns agreement, others have been simply taking pictures of the problem.”
Macron says he is 'totally committed' to plans to tackle small boat crossings
Thursday 10 July 2025 17:43 , Tara CobhamEmmanuel Macron said he is “totally committed” to the plans to tackle small boat crossings.
The French president said there should be “no finger pointing” between France and the UK regarding any issues in addressing migration.
On the pilot for returning migrants, Mr Macron said: “I’m totally committed to make it work, because this is clearly our willingness and our common interest.”
He added that the point of the pilot was a “deterrence” effect.
Watch: Macron blames Brexit for migration crisis as new deal announced with Starmer
Thursday 10 July 2025 17:35 , Tara CobhamFarage calls Starmer's migration deal a 'humiliation for Brexit Britain'
Thursday 10 July 2025 17:25Nigel Farage has described Sir Keir Starmer’s one in, one out migration deal with Emmanuel Macron as a “humiliation for Brexit Britain”.
The Reform UK leader said in a post on X just after the agreement was announced: “This agreement is a humiliation for Brexit Britain.
“We have acted today as an EU member and bowed down to an arrogant French President.”
This agreement is a humiliation for Brexit Britain. We have acted today as an EU member and bowed down to an arrogant French President.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) July 10, 2025
Brexit made it harder to combat illegal migration across Channel, Macron says
Thursday 10 July 2025 17:17 , Tara CobhamBrexit made it harder to combat illegal migration across the Channel, Emmanuel Macron has said.
The French president told a joint press conference with Sir Keir Starmer: “Since Brexit, and I’m saying all this quite honestly, I know it’s not your case, Prime Minister, but many people in your country explained that Brexit would make it possible to fight more effectively against illegal immigration.
“But it’s in fact since Brexit (that) the UK has no migratory agreement with the EU.”
He added: “It creates an incentive to make the crossing, the precise opposite of what Brexit had promised.”
Referring to “renewed trust” between the UK and Europe after Brexit, he later said the British people were “sold a lie…which is that the problem was Europe, but the problem has become Brexit”.
He said: “With your Government, we’re pragmatic, and for the first time in nine years, we’re providing a response.”
Returning migrants will 'break the model' of small boat crossings, Starmer says
Thursday 10 July 2025 17:13 , Tara CobhamReturning migrants will “break the model” of small boat crossings, Sir Keir Starmer said.
Asked whether the the pilot will have any “serious deterrence effect,” the prime minister said: “Firstly, on the returns pilot, the first thing to appreciate is this is groundbreaking, because this is a scheme intended to break the model and to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat, that you’ll end up where you started.
“And the purpose of that is a pilot to break the model, and therefore, obviously the numbers, if successful, will ramp up, but it’s a pilot to break the model.
“That is the whole point of it.”
Starmer defends ‘groundbreaking’ migration deal – and vows to go even further if it works
Thursday 10 July 2025 17:05 , Tara CobhamSir Keir Starmer has defended his “groundbreaking” migration deal amid questions over whether or not the deal would return enough migrants to stop the flow of people crossing the channel, promising to go even further if the agreement is successful.
“This is a scheme intended to break the model - to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat you will end up where you started”, Sir Keir said.
“The numbers, if successful, will ramp up. It is groundbreaking and it’s no wonder that for years British governments have been trying to secure a deal because all governments have realised how important this is.”
