The first Channel migrant has been deported to France under Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘one in, one out’ deal.
The home office confirmed that a man who arrived by small boat in August was sent back on a commercial fight earlier this morning.
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Further flights are due to take place this week and next week, while the first arrivals through the new legal route are expected to arrive in the coming days.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “This is an important first step to securing our borders. It sends a message to people crossing in small boats: if you enter the UK illegally, we will seek to remove you.”
The treaty with France was agreed in July and came into force last month.
It allows the UK to send back a migrant who crosses the Channel illegally in exchange for accepting the same number of migrants in France who have a valid asylum claim.
Today’s news will be seen as a win for ministers after the high court blocked the deportation of another individual on Wednesday.
An Eritrean man was granted 14 days to make representations to support his claim that he was a victim of modern slavery.
The home office has lodged an appeal to limit the time the person has to provide evidence for reconsideration, while a “rapid review” of modern slavery legislation has been launched to prevent its misuse.
Ms Mahmood said she will “challenge any last-minute, vexatious attempts to frustrate a removal in the courts”.
Shabana Mahmood
“The UK will always play its part in helping those genuinely fleeing persecution, but this must be done through safe, legal, and managed routes – not dangerous crossings,” she added.
The number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel has topped 30,000 for the year so far.
It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been passed since data on the crossings was first reported in 2018.
The government has come under immense pressure to get a grip on the issue amid growing public anger.
A survey for Sky News last week found immigration is the top concern of voters for the first time since Brexit.
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It is hoped the new scheme will act as a deterrent by persuading migrants not to pay people smugglers to help them get to the UK knowing there is a risk they could be detained and deported.
The government has stressed that although the numbers will start off small, they expect removals to be ramped up over time as the scheme is tested.
