More than 1,000 migrants arrive in small boats in one day - despite returns deal with France

More than 1,000 people crossed the Channel to the UK in small boats on Friday - the day after the first migrant was deported under the "one in, one out" deal.

The latest Home Office figures show 1,072 people made the journey in 13 boats - averaging more than 82 people per boat.

On the same day, an Iranian man became the third migrant to be deported under the UK's deal with France.

The number of people who have made the crossing so far in 2025 now stands at 32,103 - a record for this point in a year.

Ministers hope the deal will act as a deterrent, showing migrants they face being sent back to France.

But the scale of Friday's crossings suggested the policy was so far having little effect on those prepared to make the risky crossing across the Channel.

Read more:
What is the UK-France migrant returns deal?
Where are the UK's asylum seekers from?

The deal with France means the UK can send migrants who enter the UK on small boats back to France.

For each one returned, the UK will allow an asylum seeker to enter through a safe and legal route - as long as they have not previously tried to enter illegally.

The first flights carrying asylum seekers from France to the UK under the reciprocal aspect of the deal are expected to take place next week.

Although they would not comment on numbers, a Home Office source told the PA news agency they were expected to be "at or close to parity", given the "one in, one out" nature of the deal.

The agreement came into force on 5 August, having been signed by both countries and approved by the European Commission.

(c) Sky News 2025: More than 1,000 migrants arrive in small boats in one day - despite returns deal with France