Overview

• Home Office officials said a single flight returned 16 people to France this week, bringing total removals under the pilot to 42.
• It is understood that 23 people with qualifying family links have so far been admitted to the UK from France under the reciprocal arrangement.
• More return flights are expected in the coming days and week, according to the Home Office.
• Border security chief Martin Hewitt told MPs the scheme is a very new pilot run by a core team of 12 civil servants and noted delays to enhanced French coastal enforcement.
• Year-to-date small-boat arrivals exceed 36,000 and could surpass the 2024 total, while interviews in northern France indicate many still plan to attempt the crossing.