Starmer and Macron discuss ‘one in, one out’ deal to send some migrants back to France
Number of migrants crossing the Channel up by 56% this yearpublished at 06:45 British Summer Time
To reduce the number of English Channel crossings, the government has pledged to disrupt the people-smuggling gangs behind them – one of Labour’s key manifesto pledges in 2024 was to “smash the gangs”.
As the below graph of Home Office figures shows, as of 6 July, a total of 21,117 people had arrived in the UK in small boats in 2025.
This is up by around 56% compared with the same period in 2024.
From 2 July to 8 July, 695 migrants have arrived in the UK in 11 small boats, according to the latest Home Office data., external
As of 6 July, 21,117 people had arrived in the UK in small boats in 2025
What’s in the proposed ‘one in, one out’ deal?published at 06:36 British Summer Time
Damian Grammaticas
Political correspondent
The deal that’s been under discussion envisages the UK returning migrants to France.
For each individual taken back, France would transfer one asylum seeker to the UK, probably someone with a family connection or genuine reason to seek sanctuary here.
What’s not known are the potential numbers involved and whether final details could be agreed this week.
Both countries have promised they will make progress on “new and innovative solutions, including a new deterrent” to “break the business model” of the gangs smuggling people across the Channel.
Selfies, banquets and handshakes: Macron’s visit in picturespublished at 05:57 British Summer Time
Image source, PA Media
The French president took a selfie at the British Museum on Tuesday where he and Keir Starmer celebrated the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK and the Sutton Hoo collection to France
Image source, Getty Images
On Monday evening, Macron attended a state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. In his speech, the King toasted to “ever closer” ties between France and the UK
Image source, Reuters
Macron delivered a wide-ranging speech to MPs and peers in Parliament, in which he said that the UK and France have a duty to tackle illegal migration and addressed the wars in Ukraine and Gaza
Image source, Getty Images
King Charles and President Macron chatted and waved to onlookers during a carriage procession to Windsor Castle
Image source, Getty Images
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron were met on the tarmac at RAF Northolt when they arrived on Monday morning
Plan to develop new ‘highly lethal’ missilespublished at 05:45 British Summer Time
Image source, PA Media
The long-range Storm Shadow missiles are manufactured in Stevenage
As part of a defence agreement the two nations will sign later today, France and the UK will both order more long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
The Anglo-French weapons, described as “highly lethal” in the government’s announcement, are produced at a facility in Stevenage.
Both countries will also commit to “stepping up work” on developing a replacement for the Storm Shadow, which the government says will support 1,300 jobs across the UK.
The long-range missile, called Scalp in France, is considered ideal for penetrating hardened bunkers and ammunition stores, such as those used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
The BBC understands Ukraine used the missiles against targets inside Russia for the first time late last year.
What the UK papers say about a migration dealpublished at 05:26 British Summer Time
Ian Aikman
Live reporter
Both Sir Keir and Macron have expressed a desire to reach an agreement aimed at tackling small boat crossings in the Channel. It’s expected to be a key focus of the joint summit today.
So far, no details of a potential deal have been made public, but some of this morning’s papers include reports of what’s been discussed behind closed doors.
According to the Times and the Sun, the UK will return 50 migrants a week to France under a pilot scheme that could be extended in the future. This means one in 17 migrants who arrive in small boats will be returned to France, according to the Times’ calculations.
Britain would accept the same number of asylum seekers with a UK family connection in a “one for one” exchange, the Times reports. The Sun highlights opposition to this potential deal, with its headline describing it as a “kick in the Gauls”.
But the Guardian’s front page suggests a deal might not be reached at all this week, with aides on both sides saying there were still “several significant hurdles” to overcome just hours before the summit.
A commitment to tackle the smuggling gangspublished at 05:24 British Summer Time
Damian Grammaticas
Political correspondent
At this summit, the UK and France are promising that they will make progress on “new and innovative solutions, including a new deterrent” to “break the business model” of the gangs smuggling people across the Channel.
The deal that’s been under discussion envisages the UK returning migrants to France. For each individual taken back, France would transfer one asylum seeker to the UK, probably someone with a family connection or genuine reason to seek sanctuary here.
What’s not known are the potential numbers involved and whether final details could be agreed this week.
When it comes to defence, the UK and France will sign a declaration saying that their independent nuclear deterrents could, in future, be co-ordinated, if an adversary was threatening either country, and there were no extreme threats they would not confront together.
There will also be joint development of new missiles and air defences, and support for Ukraine.
Starmer and Macron to meet amid hopes of small boats dealpublished at 05:23 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty Images
Good morning and welcome to our final day of coverage for Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK.
This morning, the French president will meet the British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, as the pair prepare to host the 37th Franco-British Summit in London.
They’ll lead their respective teams in a round of talks through the morning. It’s widely expected they will emerge with a deal on small boat crossings, as it comes just one day after Downing Street said France and the UK had agreed that the two countries needed a new deterrent to tackle the issue.
Defence commitments will also probably feature, as well as Ukraine, particularly when the two leaders spearhead a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” on the sidelines of the summit.
We’ll bring you all the latest analysis and updates here on this page – stick with us.
