Home Secretary Reveals £56,000 Cost Per Person for UK-France Returns Scheme

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has provided figures detailing the financial outlays of the UK-France returns agreement, confirming that each individual returned under the 'one in, one out' policy incurs a cost of £56,000 to the British taxpayer.

Mahmood conveyed to the Home Affairs Select Committee that the scheme has encountered difficulties in expansion, resulting in a low number of returns. "It has been difficult to scale up," Mahmood stated, adding that "the numbers involved are still relatively small."

The policy, intended to facilitate the return of individuals who have crossed the English Channel illegally from France, has faced scrutiny over its effectiveness and financial expenditure since its inception.