Home and Security editor Mark White has expressed serious doubts about Labour's newly implemented migrant returns agreement with France, pointing to the significant obstacles that the Government faces in executing the scheme.

In breaking developments, White revealed that people smugglers have responded to the scheme's announcement by dispatching hundreds of migrants across the English Channel and the boats are expected to land on Dover shores in the next half an hour.

He told GB News: "We can give you some breaking news regarding the situation in the Channel today.

GB NEWS | Mark White delivered his damning verdict

"In what feels like a direct response to the announcement that this deal between France and the UK has been signed, people smugglers have begun pushing out hundreds of migrants into the English Channel again.

"The Border Force vessel Typhoon has just picked up the first load of around 60 migrants which we believe is now heading back to Dover Harbour and should arrive within the next half hour.

"The other Border Force vessel on duty today, Ranger, is also out there picking up a second load. Our sources tell us that we are expecting more migrant boat launches today partly because the conditions are good, and because the people smugglers know that on days like this, they can get across the Channel quite easily.

"We've already seen a huge number of people attempt to make the journey today. So, if there was supposed to be a deterrent effect from the small chance of being returned to France, we’re not really seeing much evidence of that so far.

"Now, it may still be too soon in the process and I’m sure the Government would argue that to draw any conclusions in terms of deterrence.

"But going forward, the calculation is always going to be: if you are sent across to the UK on a small boat, the chances of being returned to France are very negligible. A 95 per cent chance, it seems, in the first instance, that you will not be returned."

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White said it "seems like a direct response" to the new migrant scheme

The bilateral agreement, which came into effect on Wednesday, establishes a reciprocal arrangement whereby France accepts returned undocumented migrants arriving via small boats whilst Britain receives an equivalent number of legitimate asylum seekers with UK family connections.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed the Government's operational readiness to commence detentions within days, though she declined to specify exact figures.

"The numbers will start lower and then build up," Cooper told reporters, clarifying the scheme targets new arrivals rather than existing UK residents.

Government insiders previously suggested approximately 50 weekly returns, totalling 2,600 annually - a modest fraction of last year's 35,000 arrivals.

The treaty stipulates Britain must request returns within 14 days of arrival, with France retaining discretion to refuse unaccompanied minors or security risks, targeting three-month transfer timeframes.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration maintains the returns programme forms merely one component of comprehensive efforts to combat illegal migration, as over 25,000 individuals have crossed via small boats in 2025 thus far.

Cooper defended the limited scope against critics who question its deterrent value, stating: "This is just one part of a wider plan."