The United Kingdom and France have reached a new agreement aimed at addressing the rising number of illegal migrant crossings in the English Channel. The 'one in, one out' deal, announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Britain, has sparked debate over its potential effectiveness and implications [1][2].

Under the new scheme, migrants arriving illegally in the UK will be returned to France, while those with legitimate claims to be in the UK will be allowed entry [2]. This arrangement is pending legal verification and approval from the European Union [3].

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking about the deal, stated, "The numbers are not fixed, even for this pilot phase that we are starting now. So this will be a programme that we roll out step-by-step, and we will provide updates as we go" [3]. Cooper refrained from providing specific figures on how many migrants would be returned under this arrangement.

The agreement has drawn mixed reactions from various quarters. Supporters believe it will serve as a deterrent to migrants and disrupt the business model of criminal smuggling gangs [4]. However, critics argue that the plan may not effectively discourage migrants and could potentially encourage repeated attempts [3].

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, expressed skepticism about the deal, suggesting it brings the UK closer to the EU. He stated, "Macron must be going back to Paris laughing, saying basically the Brits have rejoined the European Union" [1].

Lucy Morton, Head of the Immigration Services Union, criticized the plan for failing to guarantee that returned migrants won't attempt to cross again [3]. This concern highlights the complex challenges facing both nations in managing cross-Channel migration.

The agreement comes against the backdrop of ongoing debates about the root causes of increased Channel crossings. President Macron has attributed the rise to Brexit, a claim that has been contested by some UK politicians [1][2].

As the pilot phase of this new migrant deal begins, both countries will be closely monitoring its impact on Channel crossings and its effectiveness in addressing the broader issues surrounding illegal migration. The success of this agreement could have significant implications for UK-France relations and European migration policies in the coming years.