It "risks causing that same cruelty, inflicting harm and long-lasting trauma" as the Rwanda scheme, one critic claimed.

A "one-in, one-out" deal in which Britain can return some migrants who cross the Channel in small boats back to France comes into force on Wednesday, the UK government has announced. The interior ministry said British authorities were "operationally ready" and that migrant detentions were expected to begin "within days" following the ratification of the agreement.

Last month, Sir Keir Starmer said the deal would ‘turn the tables’ on the people smugglers who bring them here