More than 1,300 small boat migrants cross into Britain illegally since launch of UK-France returns deal

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Around 150 others are still in the Channel, heading towards the UK.

This morning's arrivals so far also take the number who have crossed since the beginning of this year to around 26,800.

Weather conditions between Britain and France are expected to remain mainly good for the next few days, prompting many hundreds of other migrants to attempt the crossing.

The first detentions under the "one in one out" scheme came as people arrived in Dover on Wednesday, the first day the pilot scheme came into force.

Footage published by the department on Thursday showed some of those who were detained arriving and being medically assessed at Western Jet Foil in Dover.

The Home Secretary hailed the treaty, saying said it was the, "first time, under this groundbreaking new treaty" that people who take this "illegal, dangerous" journey to the UK can be returned to France.

Yvette Cooper has previously said the accord is not a “silver bullet” to stop small boat crossings, but marked a step change as migrants will be sent back across the Channel for the first time.

UK officials aim to make referrals for returns to France within three days of a migrant’s arrival by small boat while French authorities will respond within 14 days.

However, the recent surge in crossings comes just a day after Labour admitted "losing track" of more than 150,000 migrants who have come to the UK on social care visas.

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Government ministers have admitted they have "no idea" how many foreign workers were brought in to fill roles the social care system who are still working in the industry.

In another blow to the Home Office, The Telegraph reports it is not even known if they remain in the UK.

It comes as care minister Stephen Kinnock was responding to a question from Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson, who asked for an estimate of the number of people who have entered the UK on a social care work visa who are still working in the sector.

The MP for Aberafan Maesteg responded saying: "The department does not hold data that directly links visa status to ongoing employment in adult social care or residence in the United Kingdom over time.

"As such, it is not possible to estimate the number or proportion of individuals who entered the UK on a social care work visa and who are still in the UK or working in the social care sector.

"Individuals may cease working in the sector for a variety of reasons, for example to return to their country of origin or to switch to another immigration route."