Sir Keir Starmer is facing a huge negotiating humiliation this week after it was revealed his hoped-for migrant exchange scheme with France will be hugely watered down. French media have claimed that Mr Macron, who is in Britain for a state visit, may only agree to a deal for 50 Channel migrants to be returned to France every week.

This would amount to 17 migrants entering Britain illegally for every one returned over the Channel. Le Monde, the respected French newspaper, reported on Wednesday: “The number of people affected would be symbolic, at the highest of around 50 returns to France per week.” A total of 21,117 migrants have crossed into Britain from France in 2025 alone, with a total of 44,000 arriving since Sir Keir entered Downing Street a year ago on a promise of “smashing the gangs”.