First migrants arrive in Britain under Labour's 'one in, one out' deal

The first migrants arrived from France under Labour's 'one in, one out' deal, the Home Office confirmed. A family of three, including a small child, have come to Britain after successfully completing the online application process, a spokesman said. The nationality of the arrivals was not disclosed by the government.

Four migrants have so far been sent back to France under the deal. A Home Office spokesman said: "The UK-France deal is a historic agreement, and these are critical first steps. This is a clear message to people-smuggling gangs that illegal entry into the UK will not be tolerated. We will continue to detain and remove those who arrive by small boat. And we will work with France to operate a legal route for an equal number of eligible migrants to come to the UK subject to security checks."

Officials described the arrangement as a historic step in border management. They said the first steps will test the framework of detention, removal and a parallel legal route for an equal number of eligible migrants to come to the UK, subject to security checks. The government has not disclosed details of the initial arrivals beyond confirming they completed the online application process.

The policy is intended to deter illegal crossings by creating a clear consequence for those who enter by small boat while offering a legal pathway for eligible migrants, subject to security checks. Officials emphasized that the program remains subject to ongoing security assessments and cooperation with French authorities, with further steps to be announced as the scheme unfolds.