517 arrive in one day ...but deal could see just 50 sent back a week

BRITAIN’S hopes of a deal with France to end the small boats crisis were on a knife-edge last night as it emerged just 50 migrants a week may be sent back across the Channel.

- By Jonathan Walker Whitehall Editor

That figure looks tiny compared to the numbers arriving in the UK - 517 on Friday alone last week.

Sir Keir Starmer hopes to unveil an agreement with Emmanuel Macron this afternoon on the last day of the French president's state visit.

Talks will continue this morning on a “one in, one out” deal to allow Britain to deport illegal migrants back to France. In return, the UK would accept asylum seekers with a link to this country, such as those with family members already here.

But there are reports a pilot scheme will allow Britain to return just a fraction of the number arriving.

Sir Keir faced opposition in the Commons yesterday as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “The country demands that he says to the French president we will not accept undocumented males coming across the English Channel.”

The PM was also forced to pledge a crackdown on illegal working after president Macron complained a lax enforcement regime serves as a “pull” factor to the UK that encourages illegal immigration and causes chaos on both sides of the Channel.