Migrant 'swap deals' with France are not ruled out

A GOVERNMENT minister has not ruled out plans for a migrant removals agreement with the French, which could see a person deported from the UK in exchange for France sending another indi-

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vidual across the English Channel.

The Financial Times reported that talks have begun to develop the pilot scheme based on “a one-for-one principle”.

A Home Office spokesman said the Government is “intensifying” its collaboration with France and other European countries. Asked about the arrangement, transport minister Lilian Greenwood said "there are discussions ongoing with the French government” but did not say what a future deal could look like.

She told Sky News: “We are absolutely focused on fixing the broken asylum system that we have inherited from the Conservative government.