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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Hettie O'Brien

Wednesday briefing: ​Why small boat crossings are here to stay ​

Aerial view of a Border Force boat crowded with migrants in orange life jackets, arriving at harbour
Small boat arrivals have decreased but people are still attempting to get to the UK by dangerous sea crossings, often requiring rescue by border forces. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Reuters

Good morning. You’d be forgiven for missing it. Earlier this month, the government quietly scrapped its “one in, one out” deal with France. The partnership was supposed to eliminate small boat crossings by deterring asylum seekers from making the treacherous journey across the world’s busiest shipping channel.

The deal, which lasted just 423 days, was beset with problems, had a negligible impact, and now joins a long list of policies that have tried and failed to address highly visible, often tragic small boat crossings. This morning, the Home Office announced that it would be doubling the number of riot police along the French coast in lieu of the deal.

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