16 deported to France in largest removal flight - more planned

People thought to be migrants wade into the sea to board a small boat in Gravelines, France, on October 10 (Gareth Fuller/PA) Gareth Fuller

Sixteen people who entered the UK illegally were returned to France this week in the largest single deportation flight under the countries' returns agreement. The Home Office confirmed this brings the total number deported under the deal to 42 people, whilst 23 people have arrived in the UK under the treaty arrangement.

More flights are expected in the coming days and weeks as the government scales up removals. The deportations came just a day after 369 people crossed the English Channel in seven boats on Saturday.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "For many years, illegal migrants entered our country with no consequence. This is the largest return flight under our historic deal with the French. And it sends a warning to those considering entering this country illegally: if you come here by small boat, you can be sent back. This is just the beginning - I will scale up these removals to France. And I will do whatever it takes to secure our borders."

Record crossing numbers continue

Saturday's crossings brought this year's total to 36,734 people who have made the dangerous journey. This figure stands just 82 short of 2024's final total of 36,816, meaning this year could surpass last year's numbers.

The surge represents around a third increase compared to the same point in 2024. Saturday's crossings have not yet been included in official statistics but could push the annual total above last year's final figure.

Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt told MPs this week that small boat arrivals are "frustrating" but insisted efforts to disrupt smuggling routes were "always going to take time". He rejected suggestions that targeting criminal gangs was a "fool's errand" and said he was convinced the current plan "will deliver".

International cooperation expands

Ministers are working to address what they call the "upstream" causes of migration. Earlier this week, Mahmood met with counterparts from western Balkan countries in central London to coordinate efforts against smuggling networks.

International policing operations are targeting criminal gangs who have established trafficking routes through the Balkans region. Next week, Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) will host a leaders' summit with western Balkan countries to agree further measures aimed at reducing illegal arrivals.

The "one-in, one-out" returns deal was struck between Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer earlier this year. It aims to discourage dangerous Channel crossings by demonstrating that illegal arrivals can result in immediate deportation.

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.