UK Home Office Continues France Deportations After Scheme Ends

The UK Home Office continues to deport asylum seekers to France despite the official end of the one in, one out scheme on October 1. The program, established in July 2025 by French President Emmanuel Macron and former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, sought to deter small boat Channel crossings by returning some arrivals to France while granting legal entry to others.

Recent operations include a chartered flight to France on October 29 and another scheduled for November 17. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reported that the removal program cost at least £78 million.

Critics, including Medical Justice and Humans for Rights Network, argue the policy failed as a deterrent and caused significant harm to vulnerable populations. While small boat crossings decreased by 40% this year, data shows a similar decline across Europe, suggesting the scheme was not the primary driver of the trend. Furthermore, several individuals deported under the program have already returned to the UK.