Keir Starmer agrees pilot 'one-in, one-out' migrant return deal with Emmanuel Macron

UK and France agree nuclear weapons can be used in tandem to deter Russia

The UK and France have agreed to co-ordinate their nuclear deterrents, Sir Keir Starmer said, in a joint show of force against adversaries like Russia.

The Prime Minister said there was "no greater demonstration" of the importance of the UK-France relationship than the new initiative.

The Northwood Declaration signed by Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, means that Europe’s two sovereign nuclear powers would mobilise their deterrent together if threatened.

The Franco-British move is designed to act as a warning to Russia.

It comes as President Donald Trump has called on European allies to step up their contribution to Nato, and as the US tilts its influence away from Europe towards the Pacific.

Labour aims to change voting procedure for mayoral elections after Reform victories

Labour is looking to modify the voting system for mayoral elections in move that will make it harder for Reform politicians to take big regions.

Under the devolution bill, mayors will now be elected under a preferential system, rather than first-past-the-post, a change designed to make sure candidates have broader support.

Darren Hughes of the Electoral Reform Society said: "Supplementary voting raises the bar for politicians, as they will again have to secure broad backing from voters to win power.

"Restoring these elections to a more representative electoral system is a big step in the right direction for improving confidence in our politics."

Refugee charities say its 'too soon' to say if returns scheme will properly reform asylum system

Refugee charities have expressed doubt if today's migration deal with France will help reform the system for asylum seekers

Chief executive of the Refugee Council Enver Solomon said: "The PM is right to say that the UK must continue to offer a haven for those in need.

"It’s essential people can make an asylum application, be that in Britain or France, and are treated with dignity, including getting legal advice.

"Men, women and children fleeing oppressive regimes like the Taliban and brutal civil wars such as in Sudan should not need to risk their lives on boats to reach safety in Britain.

"Greater cooperation with France is welcome, but for any solution to work long term the government must adopt a comprehensive approach, including international cooperation, steps to prosecute the gangs and, critically, different safe and legal ways to reach Britain from conflicts such as those in Sudan and also for those with family members in the UK

"The groundbreaking one for one deal with France is an important first step but it’s vital that it is implemented in a way that treats all those seeking asylum fairly and with respect and dignity.

"For now, it’s too soon to determine what the impact will be."

WATCH: Nigel Farage responds Keir Starmer's 'one in, one out' migrant deal: 'We should turn them all back!'

Nigel Farage has been left furious at the new "one in, one out" migrant deal that Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced today.

The Reform UK leader responded by stating that "this is Brexit Britain" and claimed that "we should turn back every boat" with no exceptions.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

President Macron says migration deal is pending EU legal approval

Emmanuel Macron said the agreement over a 'one in one out' deal is still pending approval from the European Union.

The French president said: "The agreement will be signed as soon as the legal verification procedure is completed, included those of the EU, necessary regarding an issue linked to an external border, so that it can be implemented as swiftly as possible."

WATCH: Keir Starmer branded 'a joke' as GB News guest says 'we have no hope' of solving migrant crisis

Former political editor of The Sun, Trevor Kavanagh, has launched a scathing attack on Sir Keir Starmer's handling of the migrant crisis, branding the Prime Minister's approach "a joke" during an appearance on GB News.

The comments come as reports suggest Britain is set to return just 50 Channel migrants to France per week under a trial "one in, one out" deal.

The pilot scheme would see small boat migrants sent back to the continent in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers in Europe who have British connections.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Chris Philp SLAMS 'limp deal' in scathing rant at migration announcement

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has hit out at today's announcement, accusing Keir Starmer of "weak nand ineffective gimmicks.

The Croydon South MP said: "Labour’s limp deal will only return one in every 17 illegal immigrants arriving. Allowing 94 per cent of illegal immigrants to stay will make no difference whatsoever and have no deterrent effect.

"Starmer’s first move in power was to rip up the Illegal Migration Act, scrap the Rwanda deterrent plan, weaken age checks and reopen the path to citizenship for illegal migrants.

"This is a green light to people smugglers. Labour promised to “smash the gangs”, but 2025 so far has been the worst year in history for illegal immigrants crossing the channel and 44,000 illegal immigrants have crossed since the election.

"Returning 50 illegal immigrants a week only represents six per cent of these arrivals. The Conservatives would restore the Rwanda plan which Starmer cancelled just days before it was due to start.

"This would see 100 per cent of illegal immigrants being immediately removed without judicial process. The Australian example showed that a 100 per cent removals deterrent stops the crossings. We will do the same here.

"We’ve had enough of Starmer’s weak and ineffective gimmicks."

Keir Starmer takes veiled swipe at Nigel Farage as he took aim at 'performative' politics

Sir Keir Starmer took a veiled swipe at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as he criticised "performative" politics.

The Prime Minister said: "Irregular migration requires a serious, pragmatic response, not the performative politics of the easy answers.

"It is very important that we are able to show collectively the two of us as leaders of two great nations confronting this threat that social democracy can prevail and provide the answers to these serious problems.

"Because otherwise the easy answers get an airing.

"It is of some significance I think that while we have been working hard to get a returns agreement, others have simply been taking pictures of the problem. But that is where the politics is."

Emmanuel Macron says Britain was 'sold a lie' over Brexit

Emmanuel Macron said Britain was "sold a lie" over Brexit as he insisted French authorities are putting in money to stop the boats.

The French President said: "We’re working effectively and we have agreements that are already solid. I wouldn’t want there to be an idea that we’re not doing our job, that we’re wasting UK money.

"I’d remind you that when you put in one pound, we put in three euros."

He continued: "It’s that we sold a lie to the British people which is the problem with Europe...The problems become Brexit with your government and the first time in nine years we’re providing a response."

Emmanuel Macron reiterates demand for Britain to recognise Palestinian state

Emmanuel Macron has called the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza is a "grave threat for the region" as he reiterated his call for the UK to recognise a Palestinian state.

The French President said: "I believe in the need to unite our voices in Paris, in London and elsewhere to recognise a state of Palestine and initiate this political moment which is the only one consistent with prospects for peace.”

Labour has said that while it backs a two-state solution, it will only recognise Palestine when the time is right.

Emmanuel Macron claims Brexit has made illegal migration easier

French President Emmanuel Macron has claimed Brexit has made illegal migration easier.

President Macron said: "We need to strengthen our checks. It’s a problem on both sides of the Channel...that’s why we’re going to increase our shared efforts on several fronts.

He added: "Many people in your country explained that Brexit would make it possible to fight more effectively against illegal immigration but in fact since Brexit the UK has no migratory agreement with the EU, nor a readmission scheme.

"Precisely the opposite of what Brexit promised."

Migration thinktank hails 'extremely promising moment'

The director of a migration thinktank has hailed today's migration announcement as an "extremely promising moment" but added that it needed to be given a "proper chance."

Director of British Future Sunder Katwala said: "This is an extremely promising moment for Anglo-French cooperation, establishing the principle of a deal on migration routes and returns.

"Getting that right could determine whether the government succeeds or fails on Channel crossings.

"The big question is whether a limited pilot can actually reduce the number of small boats. Removing 50 people a week is unlikely to disrupt the smugglers’ business model, since most people would know this is unlikely to happen to them.

"The risk is that you try it at too small a scale to be effective, and then cancel the scheme because it didn’t deliver results, without ever giving it a proper chance.

"That would be a missed opportunity. At ten times the scale, this deal could start to make a dramatic difference to small boat numbers and put the smugglers out of business."

Sir Keir Starmer takes swipe at Tories as he says he is 'doing the real work' 

Sir Keir Starmer took a swipe at previous Conservative governments has he said Labour is 'doing the real work'

The Prime Minister said: "Previous governments tried and failed to secure results like this.

"We can achieve them now because we’ve taken the time and the care to do the real work, the quiet, serious diplomacy, to build proper relationships which multiply our strength and the opportunities that we enjoy.

"So Emmanuel, thank you so much for being here. We represent two proud and fiercely independent nations. But by working together we’re delivering for our people and we’re a force for good in a dangerous world."

Sir Keir Starmer says it is 'right' to accept genuine asylum seekers

The Prime Minister said it is "right" to accept genuine asylum seekers as he announced a landmark migrant return deal with France.

Sir Keir Starmer said: "We accept genuine asylum seekers because it is right that we offer a haven to those in most dire need.

"But there’s also something else here, something more practical which is that we simply cannot solve a challenge like stopping the boats by acting alone and telling our allies that we won’t play ball."

European peacekeeping force HQ to be based in PARIS, Keir Starmer admits

Plans for a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine if and when Russia's war ends are now "mature" after months of planning, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Speaking at a group call alongside "Coalition of the Willing" allies, Emmanuel Macron described the PM's plans as "ready to go" once a ceasefire is agreed.

Starmer said: "I am very pleased to say today that these plans are mature and we are putting them on a long-term footing."

New headquarters for the coalition of the willing are to be based in Paris, he added.

Macron added: "We have a plan that is ready to go and initiate in the hours after a ceasefire."

Italy's Giorgia Meloni and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky joined the call from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome alongside other allies.

Also dialled in was Keith Kellogg, a retired US general and special presidential envoy to Ukraine, as well as Lindsey Graham, a Republican US senator mobilising sanctions against Russia and his Democrat colleague Richard Blumenthal.

The coalition's plans are dependent upon a US security guarantee.

And Zelensky told the meeting that Ukraine needs the US "very much" because of its sanctions against Russia, as well as military support.

Chris Philp repeats Labour's 'one-in, one-out' attack line in fresh swipe at Reform

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has repeated Labour's "one-in, one-out" attack line against Reform UK today.

Defectors from his party are "doing the wrong thing" and "have made a mistake", he said.

Philp added: "It's not going to change the political weather in any way. Reform UK seems to be running their own one-in, one-out policy."

MINUTES remain until press conference as migrant returns talks 'going down to the wire'

Under an hour remains until this afternoon's much-anticipated 3.30pm press conference with Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron.

Negotiations over key details of the Angloe-French migrant returns deal are said to be going down to the wire.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper arrived at No10 at around 7.50am today ahead of the crunch summit.

PICTURED: Channel migrant gives V-sign after arriving in Dover

Kemi Badenoch likens defectors to 'banana republics' as Tory leader reels from latest Reform UK switch

Kemi Badenoch has said Tory-Reform UK defectors behave "like they do in banana republics" after her party was rocked by another switch late last night.

"This is something which I say again and again, that there are a lot of people who come into politics just to play the game of politics, and they will follow polls and defect wherever they can, like they do in banana republics, to wherever they think that they can win," she fumed.

"We have to do more than win. We have to be ready with a plan."

She added: "All of the people who are not interested in coming up with a proper policy plan and just want to jump ship are welcome to do so.

"Because when the time comes at the next general election, the public are going to be looking for a serious, credible alternative."

She later jabbed that defectors have "probably been holding us back for a long time" as she repeatedly refused to apologise for her party's record in power.

Labour's Lucy Powell takes 'one-in, one-out' swipe at Reform UK as clock ticks on migrant returns deal

Reform UK is "really enthusiastically implementing a policy of one in, one out", Commons leader Lucy Powell has said, after James McMurdock resigned the party whip.

Powell said she did not expect Nigel Farage's party to "welcome" efforts to set up a one in, one out Channel migrant deal with France during Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK.

"But when it comes to their own party, they're already really enthusiastically implementing a policy of one in, one out," Powell crowed to the Commons.

Nine MPs have been suspended, expelled or have resigned from the Labour Party since the General Election.

Kemi Badenoch warns Labour 'beholden to left-wing MPs' as Tory chief outlines benefits plan

Kemi Badenoch has warned that Labour is "beholden to left-wing MPs" and "completely unprepared for government" in a landmark speech outlining her party's benefits plans today.

Badenoch, whose party has slumped to 10 percentage points behind Reform UK in the polls, is expected to accuse Nigel Farage's party and Labour of "turning a blind eye" to the impact of Britain's surging benefits bill.

Faage has vowed to scrap the two-child benefit cap if Reform UK comes to power, something the Conservatives have warned is unaffordable.

"Nigel Farage pretends to be a Thatcherite Conservative but really, he's just Jeremy Corbyn with a pint and a cigarette.

"On welfare he shows his true colours - promising unaffordable giveaways with no plan to fix the system," she will say.

The Tory chief is speaking now. You can follow her address on the live stream above, and we'll bring you the top lines from her speech as they come in...

Emmanuel Macron piles pressure on 'Med Five' countries after 'serious concerns' raised over migrant plans

Emmanuel Macron has piled pressure on the so-called "Med Five" countries to "take responsibility" for the situation in the Channel after they raised "serious concerns" over a looming migrant returns deal.

"We share the same will to tackle networks of illegal immigration through great co-ordination with other European countries," he said at No10 today.

"We have often mentioned France is the last destination before Great Britain for these men and women who often journey through paths of misery and are exploited by traffickers.

"We will work with countries of first entry in Europe [as] our intention is also to engage all countries who share a responsibility alongside us."

The "Med Five" includes Spain, Greece, Italy, Malta and Cyprus - all of which are forced to contend with direct boat arrivals from North Africa.

'Disappointed but not surprised!' Furious Tories take personal swipe at Jake Berry as ex-chairman joins Reform UK

Jake Berry has been subjected to the fury of his local Conservative branch after he defected to Reform UK.

The former Tory chairman announced his switch to Nigel Farage's surging party last night as he warned: "Britain is broken. It didn't start with Labour. The Conservative governments I was part of share the blame."

Now, the Rossendale and Darwen Conservative Association has unleashed a lengthy statement in response, taking a series of verbal barbs at its former MP.

"We are disappointed, though not surprised, by Jake's decision to defect," a statement fumes.

"His defection says far more about him than it does about the modern Conservative Party... The truth is that jake never truly recovered from the downfall of Liz Truss - a Prime Minister whose brief and chaotic tenure he enthusiastically supported."

"His decision to abandon the party that gave him his platform, indeed his career, will be seen by many as a betrayal," it adds.

Last night, Berry added: "Millions of people, just like me, want a country they can be proud of again.

"The only way we get that is with Reform in government. That's why I've resigned from the Conservative Party. I'm now backing Reform UK and working to make them the next party of government."

Macron welcomes Starmer's efforts to 're-engage with Europe' after Brexit

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Sir Keir Starmer for "re-engaging with Europe" after Brexit.

Macron said that the UK and France form the “bedrock of this European Nato pillar”.

He said today’s France-UK summit would take military cooperation between the two countries “to the next level”.

The French President also argued that the Prime Minister's decision to “re-engage with Europe” was a “paramount priority in an increasingly uncertain world” .

'Migrant crisis cannot go on,' declares Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said that the small boats crisis “cannot go on”.

The Prime Minister said: “We all agree the situation in the Channel cannot go on as it is so we are bringing new tactics into play and a new level of intent to tackle illegal migration and break the business model of the criminal gangs.”

Nigel Farage reignites 'women and children' row with Darren Jones as 95 PER CENT of migrants crossing Channel today revealed to be men

Nigel Farage has reignited a bitter feud with Labour minister Darren Jones over the latter's claim that the "vast majority" of Channel-crossing migrants are women and children.

A few weeks ago, Jones had said "the majority of the people in these boats" are women and childrensaid "the majority of the people in these boats" are women and children.

Home Office data at the time, meanwhile, showed that almost three-quarters of illegal migrants are adult men.

Today, almost 95 per cent of migrants palmed off to Britain this morning were male - with 74 men, one woman and three children handed to the Border Force by France.

And Farage has turned up the heat on the Treasury Minister as a result.

"There are 78 illegal migrants on board this boat in the English Channel," he said.

"Only four of them are women and children. Are you watching, Darren?"

PM teases 'new tactics' to cut illegal migration as he warns: 'It can't go on!'

Britain will address illegal migration with "new tactics" and a "new level of intent", Sir Keir Starmer said as the Franco-British summit began.

Starmer vowed: "In uncertain times, we achieve more by strengthening our relationship with our allies, so that is what today is all about working together on the priorities that we share as two nations.

"For us, it's about delivering the changes that the British people want to see, and we will agree the situation in the Channel cannot go on as it is.

"So we're bringing new tactics into play and a new level of intent to tackle illegal migration and break the business model of the criminal gangs."

PICTURED: Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron chair Franco-British summit

Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron beaming as Franco-British summit begins

French President Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer embraced, smiled and gave out a "thumbs-up" before the Franco-British summit this morning.

The pair shook hands and posed for photographs outside Downing Street before entering - and inside, they are expected to discuss migration as negotiators battle to secure a "one-in, one-out" deal before 3.30pm.

Nigel Farage twists knife on UK-France migrant deal as Reform chief spots small boats in Channel with GB News

Nigel Farage has piled pressure on Sir Keir Starmer's impending migrant returns deal with France as he spotted small boats crossing the Channel on a visit with GB News this morning.

The Reform UK leader blasted: "At the same time Starmer is meeting with Macron to discuss migrants, the French Navy are escorting 70 illegals into British waters."

WATCH IN FULL: Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary Helen Whately speaks to GB News Breakfast

WATCH IN FULL: Liberal Democrats net zero spokeswoman Pippa Heylings speaks to GB News Breakfast

WATCH: Nigel Farage reacts as migrant boat with at least 70 people on board is escorted to British waters

Ed Miliband backs down on 'postcode pricing' energy bills plan 

Ed Miliband has backed down on plans to split Britain into different energy pricing "zones".

The Energy Secretary had been considering proposals for zonal pricing that would see different areas of the country pay different rates for their electricity, based on local supply and demand.

But the Government has now decided to retain a single national wholesale price.

Miliband said: "Building clean power at pace and scale is the only way to get Britain off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets and protect families and businesses for good.

"As we embark on this new era of clean electricity, a reformed system of national pricing is the best way to deliver an electricity system that is fairer, more affordable, and more secure, at less risk to vital investment in clean energy than other alternatives."

'Significant' roadblocks still threatening Anglo-French migrant deal - reports

Significant obstacles still stand in the way of an Anglo-French migrant deal, including money, legal challenges in France and furious opposition from southern European countries.

One British official said the talks were "complex" and "fluid" - and warned that other EU countries needed to be consulted on its final workings alongside France.

Downing Street, meanwhile, vowed that Prime Minister was hoping to make "concrete progress" on a range of issues including illegal migration at the summit.

A French source, meanwhile, told The Guardian that Paris's demands for more money for police on its north coast were "clearly very politically sensitive" for the UK.

Negotiations stretched long into Wednesday evening - and aides on both sides said there remained significant areas of disagreement, one of which is money.

Under Rishi Sunak, Britain signed a £480m deal to pay for additional border patrols and surveillance equipment such as drones and night-vision binoculars.

Since then, France has agreed to intercept boats in the sea as far as 300 metres from their shore, and are now asking for even more cash for police officers, boats and drones to enforce that policy.

Emmanuel Macron has consistently warned of "pull factors" for illegal migrants to Britain such as illegal working.

The PM has announced a number of policies in an attempt to slash illegal work, including more immigration enforcement raids.

One Government aide said: "If the French were asking us to do more illegal working raids, we would be fine with that."

RECAP: As hours remain until crunch press conference... Britain to send back just 6% of migrants in new deal with Emmanuel Macron

Britain will only be able to return around six per cent of small boat migrants to France under a “one-in, one-out” deal being negotiated between Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron.

The UK will send back 50 migrants per week, according to French newspaper reports, meaning one in 17 Channel crossers will be sent back to Calais.

However, it is understood that the UK Government aims to increase these figures after the scheme has launched.

More than 44,000 migrants have arrived in the UK since Labour won the 2024 General Election.

The two leaders held talks in Downing Street to negotiate the deal, which will see the French take back illegal small boat migrants in return for Britain accepting asylum seekers from France.

READ YESTERDAY'S POLITICAL COVERAGE IN FULL HERE