UK-France migrant deal 'robust' against legal challenges, Cooper says

UK and France have signed a new migrant returns scheme to deter illegal crossings, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper calling it "robust" against legal challenges. The deal involves returning migrants to France in exchange for accepting legal claims in the UK, aiming to break the model of people smugglers. The agreement, initially a pilot, is expected to return around 50 migrants per week, with updates promised as the scheme progresses. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, described the plan as a "gimmick" while Cooper emphasized targeting illegal workers as a deterrent for small boat crossings.