Overview

• The agreement allows the UK to return small-boat migrants to France for each asylum seeker admitted via safe legal routes
• Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the pilot will be introduced gradually with no fixed quotas as authorities set up operations
• French government reports indicate an initial cap of around 50 returns per week, compared with an average of 782 crossings weekly
• The scheme hinges on European Commission ratification and compliance with EU asylum and border regulations
• A major nationwide blitz targeting illegal working in sectors like the gig economy will accompany the pilot to deter pull factors