More than 1,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Friday, according to Home Office figures, ending a spell of more than a week with no new arrivals.
Thirteen boats carrying 1,072 individuals made the crossing on Friday, which averages more than 80 people a boat. It is the third time this year the figure for a single day has surpassed 1,000 and brings the total number this year to a record 32,103.
Before Friday, there had been eight days with no arrivals recorded in Dover, Kent, due to adverse weather and sea conditions.
Ministers are hoping their “one in, one out” plan will provide a deterrent to would-be asylum seekers if they believe they risk being quickly sent back. Three people have been removed from the UK so far under the deal with France.
Home Office sources said an Iranian man had been returned on Friday, following the removal of an Eritrean man after he lost a high court attempt to halt his removal, and an Indian national was deported on Thursday.
The first flights carrying asylum seekers from France to the UK under the deal are expected to take place next week. Labour intends to increase the number of people being sent back under the pilot deal over the coming months.
The treaty allows the UK to immediately detain anyone who crosses the Channel and, within about two weeks, agree with the French authorities to return the individual.
For each migrant the UK returns to France, another migrant with a strong case for asylum in the UK will come in return. Ministers have praised the returns, with the deputy prime minister, David Lammy, saying they provided an “immediate deterrent” to people seeking to cross the Channel.
But the Conservative shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, said it would offer “no deterrent effect whatsoever”, adding that the numbers returned so far were “pathetic”.
