'One in, one out' scheme costs £56,000 per migrant, home secretary says

The text discusses the challenges and operational aspects of managing small boat crossings of migrants from France to the UK. Key points include:

– The policy agreement between the UK and France aims to deter dangerous crossings and involves removing people who arrive irregularly.
– The agreement, initially due to end in June 2026, has been extended to October 2026.
– Scaling up removals through the French system is operationally difficult.
– There are reports that some migrants hesitate to get on small boats due to the “one in, one out” scheme, hoping for acceptance under this system.
– So far in 2026 (up to 14 September), 17,425 people have arrived by small boat, a 44% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.
– Small boat arrivals constitute around 40% of asylum applications between July 2025 and June 2026.
– The average size of boats crossing has increased, carrying about 68 people on average (more than double since 2021), which raises safety concerns.
– Law enforcement actions by the UK’s National Crime Agency and disruptions to supply chains due to the Middle East war have contributed to the reduction in crossings.
– The cost of the policy is estimated at around £56,000 (further confirmation pending).

In summary, while the number of crossings has decreased notably year-on-year, challenges remain in managing removals and ensuring migrant safety during crossings