Starmer and Macron announce plan to ‘turn the tables’ on boats crisis

WorldPolitics
11 Jul 2025 • 12:41 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed a pilot scheme to return small boat migrants from the UK to France.
  • Under the plan, migrants arriving in the UK via small boats will be detained and sent back to France.
  • In exchange for each migrant returned, a different individual will be permitted to enter the UK through a controlled and legal safe route, provided they have not attempted illegal entry.
  • The prime minister said the scheme, set to begin within weeks, aims to "finally turn the tables" on the English Channel migrant crisis.
  • Sir Keir said the reciprocal arrangement was necessary as the UK cannot solve the issue of illegal migration alone and must collaborate with allies.

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