Newly released figures show just under 1,100 migrants have been returned to France since the launch of Labour’s “one in, one out” deal.
The agreement between the UK and France came into force on August 6, 2025.
Under the terms of the deal, France agreed to accept the return of individuals who had crossed the English Channel to the UK illegally, in exchange for the same number of approved asylum seekers being transferred from France to the UK.
Figures published by the Home Office show 1,087 people were returned to France in the 11 months from August 2025 to June 2026, while 1,117 people were transferred from France to the UK.
It is the first time official data on the deal has been released.
A breakdown of the figures shows that in some months there have been more transfers out than in, such as March 2026, when 109 people left and 73 arrived.
Other months have seen more transfers in than out, such as June 2026, when 314 arrived and 264 left.
Reform UK’s Home Affairs Spokesman , Zia Yusuf, told GB News: “There are well over a million illegal immigrants in Britain. More arrive almost every day. They all need to be deported.”
New figures have revealed the details of the scheme
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GETTYMr Yusuf continued: “This comically stupid scheme from Labour is not only trivial in terms of numbers, even the ‘one in one out’ deal they did with France has led to more being sent to Britain than the other way around. Reform will end this madness and deport all illegal migrants.”
It comes just days after the High Court ruled the lack of an ability to have trafficking decisions for people facing removal under the “one in, one out” deal with France reviewed is unlawful.
A group of five people, including asylum seekers and people returned to France, brought legal action against the Home Office over changes to human trafficking decisions made in September last year.
These changes removed the right to request a reconsideration of a decision that a person was not potentially a victim of human trafficking if they faced removal to some European countries.
In a judgment last week, judge Mr Justice Sheldon ruled the amendment was unlawful, finding that potentially decisive evidence such as medical reports is often only available after the initial decision is made.
He added that for some people facing removal, including those facing removal under the deal with France, “relevant evidence casting doubt on the correctness” of these decisions “will be disregarded”.
The High Court ruled the lack of an ability to have trafficking decisions for people facing removal under the ‘one in, one out’ deal with France reviewed is unlawful
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GETTYHe continued: “In my judgment, such a decision-making process cannot be regarded as robust and effective, and so could not have been within the contemplation of Parliament.”
To access support and have recognition of their circumstances in the UK, victims of human trafficking are assessed, with an initial decision that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe they are a victim meaning they cannot be removed from the country for at least 30 days.
In his 115-page judgment, Mr Justice Sheldon said these “reasonable grounds” decisions are often taken within five working days, with the first interviews of people who have arrived by small boat sometimes taking place within hours and in the middle of the night.
The judge added “there are bound to be many cases where a victim of trafficking will not be identified” because decision makers do not have the needed evidence, and that 79 per cent of initial decisions that were reconsidered in 2025 received a different outcome.