Starmer and Macron to announce ‘one in, one out’ migration deal
GuardianJUL 10
UK, France Agree on 'One In, One Out' Channel Migration Deal
Above: U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on July 10, 2025 in London, England. Image copyright: Leon Neal/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
This groundbreaking deal finally addresses the Channel crisis through practical cooperation. The pilot scheme will deter dangerous crossings by showing migrants their journey will be in vain, while the unprecedented crackdown on illegal work eliminates the job promises used by smuggling gangs. Working together with France represents the only realistic solution to break the criminal business model.
Right narrative
This deal is a complete failure that will make no difference to the crisis. Allowing 94% of illegal migrants to stay provides zero deterrent effect, while the Rwanda scheme would have removed 100% and actually worked. Brexit was supposed to give Britain control over immigration, not create deals that accept more migrants through the back door.
Left narrative
Migrants are to be treated with dignity, not passed around as political bargaining chips. Ever-harsher enforcement policies have done little to stem the tide of migrants, which neglects to ameliorate the root conditions that drive migration. The U.K. is trying to shirk its responsibilities to treat migrants with dignity, which will jeopardize more lives. Real progress on illegal migration can only come from creating safer, legal pathways.