Humiliation for Keir Starmer as 2,500 migrants arrive in UK after new deal with France

More than 2,500 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats in the 11 days since the Government’s flagship “one in, one out” agreement with France came into force, Home Office figures show. And Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has said the situation proves that "the whole of Europe is laughing at us".

The scheme – agreed by Sir Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron in July – was billed as a turning point. Under the pilot, each person returned to France would be matched by another with a strong asylum case being granted entry to the UK. But so far, no removals have taken place. The first detentions in Dover were earlier this month, and officials say deportations may not start for up to three months.

The continuing flow across the Channel underlines the scale of the challenge facing Labour, which promised to “smash the gangs” behind the crossings when it came to power.

Since July 2024, more than 50,000 people have made the journey, including about 28,000 so far this year alone. Last August, over 4,000 arrived, highlighting how numbers typically surge in calmer summer conditions.

Concerns have also been raised about smugglers turning to larger vessels. A so-called “mega dinghy” capable of holding more than 100 people was reportedly seen in the Channel this week.

Aid worker Rob Lawrie told BBC's Today programme on Friday that smugglers believe they can now load up to 150 people on a single boat.

Warning that children had already been crushed during crossings, he said: “That’s a lot more people, overcrowding an extra-large boat."

Home Office officials are investigating whether the sighting was a one-off or part of a new tactic. The National Crime Agency insists it is disrupting supply chains, noting 20 inflatables were seized in Bulgaria last week – the second such find in less than a month.

Despite these efforts, critics argue the returns deal has “no deterrent effect whatsoever” until deportations begin.

Ashfield MP Mr Anderson told Express.co.uk: "The whole of Europe is laughing at us. The authorities of France are waving through and assisting illegal migrants to enter our country and are being paid by the British people to do so.

"Meanwhile British women and girls are too scared to leave their homes. I am ashamed of what our country is becoming."

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp, who this week joined Express.co.uk investigations editor Zak Garner-Purkis for a visit to illegal camps near Dunkirk in Normandy, said the figures showed Labour was failing to deliver on its pledge to take control of the borders.

Sir Keir, however, has doubled down, insisting: “If you break the law to enter this country, you will face being sent back. When I say I will stop at nothing to secure our borders, I mean it.”

The most recent data available on the Home Office website indicates that 2,543 people have crossed the Channel since the deal came into force at 12.01am on August 6.

Express.co.uk has contacted the Home Office for details.