First migrants set for deportation to France detained under 'one in, one out' deal

The proof will be in the numbers for the UK-France returns scheme

The home secretary's decision to not give any detail on the number of people detained under the UK-France migrant returns deal "gives us a lack of clarity".

Our political correspondent Mhari Aurora says Yvette Cooper's decision not to do so means "we don't know what kind of scale we're talking about here".

She adds: "It's understandable in some ways why she might not want to give us that information, but it makes it maybe harder to see how effective it is, in some regards."

Mhari adds that opposition politicians are likely to say the scheme is a "gimmick" or a "distraction", and will call on the government to focus on the numbers.

"Of course, the numbers are really going to be the only indicator of whether this [deal] is actually doing a good job," she says.

Mhari also adds that the government's focus on reducing the number of small boats is because it is an "evocative" image and "politically toxic" - though, of course, people arrive in the UK illegally through other means, too.

'France is a safe country' - Cooper says government will 'robustly defend' any legal challenges to returns scheme

The home secretary has said the government will "robustly defend" any legal challenges to the UK-France migrant returns scheme.

It follows the first people being detained under the deal yesterday, which the Home Office has revealed this morning.

Asked if the scheme might become bogged-down with legal challenges, Yvette Cooper said: "It's the beginning of the pilot [scheme], and we will build over time. 

"But we're also clear that France is a safe country, so we will robustly defend against any legal challenge that people try. And we do expect for people to start being returned in a matter of weeks."

Home Secretary refuses to say how many migrants have been detained

Yvette Cooper has refused to say how many people have been detained - on the basis that criminal gangs could use this information to "exploit" the scheme.

The home secretary said: "The transfers to immigration removal centres are underway as we speak.

"We won't provide operational details at this point, that criminal gangs can simply use and exploit. 

"But no one should be in any doubt. Anyone who arrives from now on is eligible for immediate detention and return."

In theory, this means it could be as few as two people in custody under the scheme.

First migrants detained under UK-France returns deal

Multiple people have been detained under the terms of the UK-France migrant returns deal for the first time, it's been announced.

Sir Keir Starmer said: "We have detained the first illegal migrants under our new deal before returning them to France.

"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."

The Home Office has said they were detained after arriving on a small boat yesterday and that they will now be removed to France in the coming weeks. 

It added that it will make referrals to the French within three days, and then they will have 14 days to respond.  

Under the UK-France returns deal, a new one-in, one-out policy has been introduced, which will see those in France with a right to live in the UK able to apply to make the journey legally. In exchange, those in Britain with no right to be here will be returned to France. 

The application process for those in France hoping to apply to come to the UK has now also been launched by the Home Office this morning.

'We are on track to do what no other government has done'

Yvette Cooper said the "ground-breaking new treaty" has led to the group being detained following their arrival at Western Jet Foil.

The home secretary added that they "will now be held in detention until they can be returned to France".

She said: "That sends a message to every migrant currently thinking of paying organised crime gangs to go to the UK that they will be risking their lives and throwing away their money if they get into a small boat."

Cooper also admitted that it is "early days" for the scheme and it "will develop over time".

"But we are on track to do what no other government has done since this crisis first started - sending small boat arrivals back to France and strengthening our borders," she said.

Philp: People who arrive in the UK should be removed 'without judicial process'

The Conservatives have said people who arrive in the UK illegally, such as by small boat, should be removed immediately - and "without judicial process".

Chris Philp tells Sky News that "we should do whatever it takes to stop illegal migration".

The shadow home secretary explains that this includes "removing immediately and without judicial process anyone who arrives here illegally".

Challenged on whether removing peoples' right to challenge their deportation in the courts is fair, Philp responds: "We shouldn't be letting the courts system take years to process."

Tories to decide whether to leave the ECHR 'in just a few weeks'

He repeated the Tories' call to disapply the Human Rights Act from immigration matters, and "go one step further and leave the ECHR".

On that last point, he says his party will be "getting a report from an eminent lawyer, an eminent barrister, in just a few weeks time".

Challenged on when the Conservatives will make a decision about the ECHR, Philp says that "we're going to have the answer to that question in just a few weeks".

He is then asked if he agrees with Nigel Farage's view that failed asylum seekers should be sent back to their country of origin, regardless if it is safe for them.

He responds that "there are always going to be some bits of the world where it's just not possible for whatever reason - and that's why you do need a third country".

In a dig at Farage, Philp adds: "The difference between Reform and the Conservatives is that we do think this through properly, so our ideas are credible and will actually work in practice."

Tories take credit for crackdown on illegal working by courier companies

Chris Philp has claimed credit for measures announced by food courier companies to crackdown on illegal working.

The shadow home secretary is speaking to Sky News about his own plans on how to tackle this issue - namely deporting asylum seekers found to be working illegally. 

But he is asked if he is late to the party, given that Deliveroo - one such courier company - has said workers undergo identity and right to work checks. 

"They say that, but it's not working is it," Chris Philp responds.

Last month, the government signed a deal with the bosses of Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat to share the locations of hotels housing asylum seekers, in a bid to tackle illegal working. 

The three companies have also now pledged to increase the use of facial recognition verification technology, as well. 

Philp insists the companies "announced all of those things the week after I went to this asylum hotel and exposed what was going on".

He adds: "It was only my visit to the hotel which then prompted them suddenly to take action."

Addressing the government's deal with the companies, he points out that it was announced the week after his visit. 

"I'm not sure I believe the claim that that was all just a coincidence," he adds. 

Tories: Interest rate cut 'would be a sign of weakness'

The Conservatives have warned that the Bank of England's widely anticipated decision to cut interest rates would not be good news for Britain.

The Bank will announce any changes at midday today - though it's widely believed that it will reduce the base rate from 4.25% to 4%.

But the shadow business secretary has warned that a cut today "would be a sign of weakness not strength".

Andrew Griffith added that "the Bank sees what businesses see - an economy sinking its knees with falling employment, low demand and a 'slo-mo house price.

He repeated the Tories' call for tax cuts. 

We will hear from Rachel Reeves following the announcement at 12pm today. 

However, the chancellor has been warned that "substantial tax rises" are needed to meet her fiscal rules.

Sir Keir Starmer said he "does not recognise" those figures. But during a visit to Milton Keynes yesterday, the PM also declined to rule out hiking VAT, income tax and corporation tax in the autumn.

Minister defends changes to cosmetic industry - amid criticism they're taking too long

The health minister says changes to the cosmetic industry being introduced by the government are about making sure "the consumer is safe".

Karin Smyth is defending the new restrictions, amid criticism that the proposals are taking too long to introduce - with a consultation being published next year. 

She tells Sky News that "regulation is a complex area to get right" and that she is working with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Smyth says ministers want to get the balance right of "supporting the industry and supporting consumers  that want to take advantage of these treatments".

"We want to work quickly on this, we are acting, we've made that decision in that response," she adds. 

Challenged on the fact that people could die between now and the regulations coming into effect, Smyth responds that people  should "be very careful" and that "if it looks too cheap, then it probably is".

She points out that there is already guidance on what to look out for on the NHS website, and adds that she hopes ministers speaking out about the issue will raise awareness of unsafe practitioners and the need to be cautious.

Smyth says: "There are very many - the majority - reputable businesses across this country, largely run by women, small businesses, in good premises, and those are the ones that people should be looking out to."

-SKY NEWS