00:00Some 21,000 illegal migrants have crossed the Channel from France to England so far this year.
00:08The French president says the UK and France share the same will in addressing the issue, as his state visit concludes.
00:15Sir Keir Starmer says more cooperation with France is the way to tackle small boat crossings.
00:20We all agree the situation in the Channel cannot go on as it is.
00:25So 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.
00:36At a press conference in northwest London on Thursday afternoon, it was announced that the UK government's hoped-for deal had been done.
00:43So I'm pleased to announce our agreement today on a groundbreaking returns pilot.
00:49For the very first time, migrants arriving via small boat will be detained and returned to France in short order.
01:00In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here, via a safe route, controlled and legal, subject to strict security checks, and only open to those who have not tried to enter the UK illegally.
01:21But initially, as few as 50 migrants per week could be deported, just a fraction of those who arrive.
01:50On some days, you get hundreds of individuals arriving.
01:55So clearly, this wouldn't put a big dent in that.
01:57We're talking, what, low single-digit percentages on current rates of arrival.
02:02Whether that would have a material impact, very difficult to know.
02:06If it were to have one, you'd have to assume that would be a more moderate kind of impact.
02:12UK Border Force ships picked up people from small boats this morning as the country enters another heatwave.
02:18Weather, and not politicians, usually has the greatest impact on the number of crossings.
02:25The government will hope today marks a sea change in this routine.
02:29However, war and starvation have brought many of these people thousands of miles to northern France.
02:35They have very little in this world, except hope, patience and determination, stronger than any plan or arrangement agreed by prime ministers or presidents.
02:48We've got a job at three and two.
02:53Thank you very much.
02:55Thank you very much.
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