Comment on UK-France refugee deal talks

In the news today: discussions between the UK and French Governments on a potential new deal on the transfer of refugees and people seeking asylum.

Reportedly, these talks could lead to a new pilot scheme with a family reunion focus, allowing refugees with family in the UK to tavel here safely.

Here’s our response to these reports:

Gunes Kalkan, Head of Campaigns at Safe Passage International: “As we await more detail on this deal, we hope this cooperation between the UK and France shifts the focus onto providing safe routes and protection for refugees.

“We’ve long been asking the Government to help families to reunite, so it’s positive they are considering this. From our work with refugee families, we recommend the UK and French Governments work together on making sure people in France have information on family reunion, a streamlined process so people don’t face long delays and helping unaccompanied children to reunite.

“Alongside helping families to reunite, the Government must also urgently open safe routes to protection in the UK, and move away from focusing on enforcement and removals. In our experience, this is the best way to reduce people taking dangerous journeys in the hands of smugglers.”

For more information or media interviews please get in touch with our Press Manager - claudine@safepassage.org.uk

With our work supporting families in France, elsewhere in the EU and beyond, to reunite with family in the UK and our campaigning for safe routes to prevent dangerous journeys, we’ll be following the development of this deal closely.

UK Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, and President of France, Emmanuel Macron, talking as they walk into the UK EU Border Security Summit, April 2025.