Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has condemned the Government's new migrant returns deal with France as "another hopeless gimmick" that will fail to deter Channel crossings.
Speaking on GB News, Philp criticised the pilot scheme announced by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, which will see approximately 50 illegal immigrants returned to France each week.
"Only 50 illegal immigrants per week will be sent back to France which amounts to six per cent of the illegal arrivals," Philp said. "That means 94 per cent of illegal arrivals will be allowed to stay in the UK."
He argued the limited scale of returns would have "no deterrent effect whatsoever" and compared it unfavourably to Labour's previous pledge to "smash the gangs", which he called "pathetic".
Christopher Hope told Philp his previous Government 'failed completely'
GB NEWS
The UK-France agreement, unveiled yesterday following Macron's three-day state visit, establishes a "one-in, one-out" pilot scheme set to begin in August.
Under the arrangement, Britain will deport undocumented migrants arriving by small boats to France whilst accepting an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers with British family connections.
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"I'm pleased to announce our agreement today on a groundbreaking returns pilot. For the very first time, migrants arriving in small boats will be detained and returned to France in short order," Starmer said at a joint press conference with Macron.
Government sources indicated the scheme would process around 50 returns weekly, totalling approximately 2,600 annually. The trial aims to return roughly 800 migrants to France by year's end, with officials suggesting the programme could be expanded following the pilot phase.
Keir Starmer and Emmanuel MacronREUTERSWhen challenged by GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope about Conservative failures, Philp defended his party's record whilst facing pointed criticism.
"But you failed completely. Your Rwanda plan never worked at all. This is a different idea. Why not give it a chance? How can you possibly criticise them given your complete failure to control the boats in your latter years in government?" Hope asked.
Philp responded that the Conservatives had reduced boat numbers by a third in 2023 and insisted the Rwanda scheme would have been effective.
"It was ready to start on 24 July, just after the election. It would have seen every single illegal immigrant sent to Rwanda which would have been a deterrent," he said.
Philp joined Christopher Hope and Dawn Neesom on GB News
GB NEWS
He blamed legal challenges for delays and accused Starmer of cancelling the scheme "just days before it was due to start".
The new scheme represents a fraction of current arrival numbers, with more than 21,000 people crossing the Channel on small boats so far this year - a record for this stage of the year.
Government figures show over 35,000 arrivals were recorded last year, whilst 44,000 have arrived since Labour's election victory in July 2024.
The pilot's target of 2,600 annual returns would address less than 10 per cent of recent arrival figures.
Labour MP Fabian Hamilton expressed scepticism about the scheme's effectiveness, saying he was "sceptical that this is the answer".
The agreement requires "prior legal scrutiny in full transparency and understanding with the Commission and EU member states", potentially delaying implementation.
Migrants were photographed departing France for the UK just hours before Starmer and Macron announced their deal.