A recent agreement between the UK and France aims to manage the flow of migrants crossing the English Channel. The treaty, announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, introduces a 'one in, one out' policy where each asylum seeker returned to France allows for one legal arrival in the UK. However, since its implementation last September, the actual returns have been minimal — just a few hundred individuals have been sent back, which barely addresses the ongoing influx of arrivals, often numbering in the thousands over busy days.

This policy has sparked significant debate regarding the safety and welfare of those being returned. Some asylum seekers have expressed deep concerns about being sent back to France, fearing threats from traffickers and a lack of adequate support. Despite international and domestic criticism about the human rights implications of this policy, the UK government continues to pursue this route in an effort to deter dangerous crossings and reduce numbers arriving by boat.

As the UK grapples with a complex immigration landscape and rising numbers of individuals seeking refuge, the effectiveness of such policies remains in question. Critics argue that the 'one in, one out' approach is insufficient and highlights broader systemic issues, encouraging calls for a more humane and comprehensive solution to address asylum seekers' needs rather than punitive measures that risk their safety.