First migrants detained under returns deal with France

The Home Office said detentions began at Wednesday lunchtime, and those people will be held in immigration removal centres pending their return in the coming weeks.

It comes after pictures showed people on small boats headed for the UK yesterday, the day the pilot scheme came into force.

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It isn't known how many of these were detained. The government said that is operational information which could be exploited by criminal gangs, but numbers would be disclosed retrospectively "to ensure transparency around the results of the scheme".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on the X social media platform: "We have detained the first illegal migrants under our new deal before returning them to France.

"No gimmicks, just results. If you break the law to enter this country, you will face being sent back.

"When I say I will stop at nothing to secure our borders, I mean it."

Under the scheme, which will run as a pilot until June 2026, the UK can send adults and accompanied minors who arrive by small boat back to France.

In exchange, the UK will allow an approved asylum seeker in France to be brought here via a safe and legal route - as long as they have not previously tried to enter illegally.

Home Office officials aim to make referrals for returns to France within three days of a migrant's arrival by small boat while French authorities will respond within 14 days.

Ministers have rejected criticism that the returns deal leaves open a loophole for human rights laws to be exploited for migrants to avoid deportation.

The treaty contains a clause that says in order for people to be returned, the UK must confirm they do not have an "outstanding human rights claim".

The Tories have argued this could risk bogus applications being made to frustrate the deportation process and cause delays.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government would "robustly defend against any legal challenge that people try", and she expects returns to start "in a matter of weeks".

She added: "No one should be in any doubt. Anyone who arrives from now on is eligible for immediate detention and return, and this pilot will now build because we are determined that no one should be making this journey."

The detentions will go alongside a campaign warning migrants in northern France not to risk their money by making the journey across the Channel.

The application process for those in France hoping to apply to come to the UK has now also been launched.

They will have to meet suitability criteria, standard visa application process and security checks.

If accepted, they would be given three months in the UK to claim asylum or apply for a visa, and would be subject to the same rules for all asylum seekers not allowed to work, study or have access to benefits.

-SKY NEWS