London (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to announce stricter migration controls on Thursday. This announcement will come during a state visit aimed at strengthening relations, especially in areas like defence and nuclear collaboration.
Following French President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit to the UK from July 8 to 10, 2025, the visit featured a carriage procession to Windsor Castle with King Charles III and a state banquet held in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle hosted by the King and Queen.
UK PM Starmer urges Macron to fulfill his commitment to increased “cooperation and tangible results” regarding migration.
What does the new UK-France migrant deal involve?
As reported by Reuters, A British government source stated that the UK and France have reached an agreement on a “one in, one out” migrant returns scheme. Under this plan, Britain will deport undocumented migrants arriving in small boats to France, in exchange for an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers who have family connections in the UK.
The government source stated that the initial efforts would be limited but could be expanded.
Local media said that the UK intends to deport 2,600 people each year, which is a small fraction of the over 35,000 arrivals recorded last year. This year, more than 21,000 people have arrived by small boats, setting a new record.
Macron also urged the UK to tackle “migration pull factors,’ implying it should be more difficult for migrants in Britain to secure employment without legal residency.
On Wednesday, Starmer’s office said the British leader had told Macron Britain was increasingly arresting undocumented workers to deter them from coming to Britain for jobs.
What defence deals were signed during Macron’s visit?
Since the UK left the European Union in 2020, the two countries have been forging closer ties. The leaders plan to enhance their defence collaboration by ordering more Storm Shadow cruise missiles, currently used in Ukraine. They also signed an agreement to deepen nuclear cooperation, marking the first time they have agreed that their deterrents can be coordinated.
“As close partners and NATO allies, the UK and France have a deep history of defence collaboration and today’s agreements take our partnership to the next level,”
Starmer stated in a statement.
“We stand ready to use our shared might to advance our joint capabilities.”
The deals follow the efforts of both nations to lead a “coalition of the willing,” a coalition of countries committed to supporting Ukraine if a ceasefire with Russia occurs.
An Elysee Palace official stated:
“We are providing capabilities to Europeans in the face of these increased threats, and in the nuclear field, we are strengthening our solidarity and the anchor of our two countries.”
