UK-France small-boat returns deal set to expire 1 October

UK-France 'one in, one out' returns scheme is expected to expire 1 October, UK government sources say. Talks have stalled over French demands for a Europe-wide deal and reluctance to scale up exchanges. Detained cases will still be flown out, ending within weeks. The pilot returned more than 1,400 small-boat arrivals since September 2025.