Keir Starmer has agreed a “pilot” deal to return illegal migrants to France in an exchange for individuals to arrive as asylum seekers as part of a drive to curb small boat crossings. In a speech delivered alongside French President Emmanuel Macron,

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of caving in to France over a migrants deal that critics warned will fail to end the small boats crisis. They lashed out at the "limp" agreement and said the Prime Minister had "bowed down" to French president Emmanuel Macron.

The new deal will see illegal migrants returned to France, but will also enable individuals to arrive in the UK as asylum seekers in a move to curb small boat crossings