‘One-in-one-out’ migrant returns deal with France to begin in days
The UK’s one-in-one out returns deal with France is reportedly set to begin in a matter of weeks, as pressure piles on the government to take further action to stop people from making the dangerous journey across the Channel.
The agreement, announced by the prime minister in a joint press conference with Emmanuel Macron last month, means that for each small boat migrant sent back across the English Channel, an asylum seeker will be allowed to enter the UK from France under a legal route.
Sir Keir Starmer said it was a “breakthrough moment” which would “turn the tables” on the people smugglers who bring them here.
Sources told The Times that home secretary Yvette Cooper, will sign a deal on Wednesday meaning that about 50 people a week who enter the UK on small boats can be sent back to France, starting from next month.
Government sources told the newspaper that the signing ceremony was an indication of the endorsement of the deal by the European Union – amid concern that the bloc could oppose the agreement.
Labour has put a pledge to crack down on the number of people coming to the UK on small boats at the centre of its plan for government.
But with boat crossings at a record high, and the asylum backlog still above 75,000, there is mounting pressure on ministers to take more drastic action – pressure which is exacerbated by the success of Reform UK in the polls.
Last week figures showed that the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel topped 25,000 – the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 25,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018
It comes amid escalating protests across the UK opposing the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with a number of people arrested after a protest outside a hotel in Canary Wharf in London on Sunday.
Protesters jeered at people going in and out of the hotel, and officers were forced to step in after flares were let off in the crowd, the Metropolitan Police said.
A group of people outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf were “harassing occupants and staff”, trying to prevent people make deliveries, as well as trying to “breach the fencing and access the hotel”, a statement said.
In recent days, the government has announced further measures to support their crack down on illegal migration, including pouring an extra £100m into their efforts.
The money will support the pilot of the new returns agreement with France, paying for up to 300 more National Crime Agency (NCA) officers and new technology and equipment to step up intelligence-gathering on smuggling gangs.
Meanwhile, anyone who advertises small boat crossings or fake passports on social media could be face up to five years in prison under a new offence to be introduced under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
Speaking on Monday, Dame Angela Eagle told Sky News ministers are “doing the detailed work” to bring down the asylum backlog, adding: “We’ve taken 35,000 people off our streets who have no right to be in our country and sent them back to their countries of origin within a year.”
“We are doing all we can to deal with the challenges that the police are facing on the streets to make sure that women and girls are safe, and in fact, that everybody is safe on our streets.”
But as tensions continue to flare over the issue, shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said he thinks the “public’s patience has snapped”.
“This is issue is beyond party politics – it is causing immense harm to communities, people’s lives are being wrecked as a result of it, and we simply have to fix it.
“I respect people who are peacefully protesting outside hotels this weekend. I understand why they feel so concerned. They’re seeing their communities damaged”, he added.
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
Tommy Robinson arrested over alleged assault at London St Pancras
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been arrested over an alleged assault at St Pancras train station in London.
British Transport Police said that a 42-year-old man from Bedfordshire had been arrested at Luton Airport on Monday in connection with an assault at St Pancras railway station on 28 July.
A spokesperson for the force said the arrest took place shortly after 6.30pm following a notification that a man had boarded an incoming flight from Faro.
“The man had been wanted for questioning after leaving the country to Tenerife in the early hours of August 29 following the incident at St Pancras,” they said.
“He was arrested on suspicion of GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) and will now be taken to custody for questioning.”
Footage emerged last Monday appearing to show the activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, walking away from a man lying injured on the floor at St Pancras station.
Police said the man was taken to hospital with “serious” injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Robinson was originally believed to have boarded a plane to the Spanish island early last Tuesday, according to local media reports in Spain.
Robinson co-founded the English Defence League (EDL) in Luton in 2009, which was active until about 2013.
Police braced for surge in violence with anti-migrant protests planned across UK
Police are braced for further protests and disorder across the UK, as anti-migrant demonstrations continue outside hotels housing asylum-seekers.
At least four protests have been organised for the upcoming week in locations such as Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth, with tensions rising further after clashes over the weekend.
Far-right groups also plan to protest outside at least eight migrant hotels on Thursday as part of a “no asylum day” of action, according toThe Times.
It comes amid warnings that the Metropolitan Police could be “tested to the limit” on Saturday, when pro-Palestine Action supporters have been urged to turn up en masse in central London, in defiance of anti-terror laws.
Protests first began last month outside The Bell Hotel in Epping after an Ethiopian refugee residing there, Hadush Kebatu, was charged with sexual assault for allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Since then, far-right demonstrators have clashed with police and counter-protesters in Diss, Manchester, Edinburgh and outside the Barbican in London.
On Sunday, a group wearing face masks and carrying smoke bombs made a “concerted effort” to break into the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, which is currently housing refugees.
Police forces are expected to be stretched at the weekend, as a separate pro-Palestine march is also scheduled for Saturday and anti-immigration protests are scheduled to continue.
It is unclear if the Metropolitan Police will call on mutual aid from neighboring forces, with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) saying they are working “closely” with partners at a national and local level.
The Telegraph reports that hundreds of people are set to descend on London to support Palestine Action, after they were proscribed as a terrorist organisation. The group has claimed responsibility for damaging aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in June.
Membership or expressing support for the group is now a criminal offence carrying a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison. With the possibility that the police may have to arrest hundreds of protesters on Saturday, there are fears that capacity in custody cells could quickly run out.
Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said that while the public have a right to protest, they would “never tolerate unlawful or violent behaviour or intimidatory behavior”.
Tensions over migration have further escalated after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and George Finch, the 19-year-old leader of Warwickshire County Council, claimed there had been a “cover up” of details about an alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton.
Two men have been charged in relation to the alleged incident in the Warwickshire town. Warwickshire Police has not released the immigration status of the two suspects.
Mr Finch said he would be working to “fight against” houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) that are housing “illegal immigrants” and also claimed that Reform UK need to “change things” and are “the last line of defence against the blob, the cover-ups”.
In his letter to Ms Cooper, published on X on Sunday, Mr Finch claimed that a “cover-up” of immigration status “risks public disorder breaking out on the streets of Warwickshire”.
“Having my ear to the ground locally, it is clear that there is much appetite for protests to take place across the County,” the letter adds.
When asked if the police should release the ethnicity of people when charged, a No10 spokesperson said that it was important to be as “transparent as possible”, and described the case as “deeply upsetting and distressing”.
Meanwhile, border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said that protests outside hotels must not be used to “have a pop at the police” and insisted that Labour were working to close asylum hotels.
She added that the Government was “doing the detailed work” to crack down on small boat crossings, after the Home Office unveiled its plan to pump an extra £100 million into tackling people smuggling.
With both a protest and a counter-demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism in Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, Dorset Police said they would seek to ensure people can exercise their right to protest legally, without disruption.
“We will seek to enable peaceful protests, but public order or criminal offences will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly,” a spokesperson said.
An NPCC spokesperson said: “Policing is committed to upholding and facilitating the right to peaceful protest. Where possible, we will work with event organisers and any other affected groups to facilitate protests and minimise serious disruption to communities.
“We are working closely with partners at a national, regional and local level to monitor the latest information and intelligence to ensure we are best placed to respond should we see any incidents that escalate into disorder and criminality.
“We have robust and well-tested proactive plans in place, with the ability to mobilise significant and specialist resources, if necessary.
“Public order response officers will be supported by investigation teams who will gather evidence and ensure those responsible for any acts of criminality, should they occur, are identified and held to account.”
How ‘warrior’ Siraj set the tone to announce a new era for India
Mohammed Siraj woke up on a drizzly morning in south London realising that the time was now. India were up against it and heading towards a fifth Test defeat against England and subsequently a 3-1 series loss. A scoreline that would not reflect the fierce battle between the two sides over 25 days, with each Test meandering to a climax over its full duration.
Siraj had bowled 1,088 balls by this stage. Yet as much as his physical endurance, his composure was tested, too. That misfield on day four at The Oval, stumbling and staggering into the boundary after clutching Harry Brook for, what would have been, a match-turning score of 19. A mistake that cost India 92 runs before the most dramatic of six-run victories.
“When he woke up in the morning, he believed he could do it,” former India wicket-keeper and Sky Sports pundit Dinesh Karthik confirmed. “Then he took a screenshot of something from Google that said, ‘believe’. He put it out there because he wanted to get it done.”
And believe he did. England started the day needing just 35 runs in their pursuit of 374. Prasidh Krishna coughed up eight runs from the rest of his over, finished overnight after the bad light and rain scuppered a premature conclusion to this enthralling Test. Siraj then dialled up the pace and added some menacing swing, too, with Jamie Smith bamboozled immediately.
A couple of near misses followed a delicate nick back to Dhruv Jurel with his third ball, sparking bedlam. Siraj wheeled away, arms outstretched, but the chaotic celebrations were temporarily cut short due to umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s bizarre move to verify that the catch was clean. Of course, it was, and Siraj had duly delivered the belief India needed to hunt down another three wickets for victory and a drawn series.
The rest of the match-winning spell, ending at 3-9 from just 25 balls, saw Jamie Overton trapped lbw, before Gus Atkinson finally departed, despite a gritty effort to shield the one-armed, heroic Chris Woakes from this devilish Indian pace attack. His stumps rearranged to put the exclamation mark on this iconic win.
While Jasprit Bumrah remains the finest bowler in the world, with his ailing body unable to allow more than three appearances in this epic series, Siraj has underlined his importance, confirming the duo, whenever they do line up together, as one of the great fast bowling pairs in the game.
Cricket, a sport riddled by the quirks of trends and numbers, shows us that India win just 41.67 percent of the games he plays, but that rises to 71.43 percent without him, according to cricket statistician Ric Finlay. While Siraj’s inclusion ensures a 53.66 percent win rate and just 40.00 percent without him. Naturally, it is daft to suggest India are better off without Bumrah, but there is something about Siraj and the emotional impact that numbers cannot measure with this fiery seamer and unique character.
“You don’t seem to look at the bowlers as much,” Karthik remarked when highlighting how batters usually get the credit. “Not just today, but Siraj walked in today trying to be the man. He has bowled like an absolute warrior; he’s done the donkey’s work too. He’s hit 90mph, I couldn’t be more proud of him as a bowler.”
It is that energy and the ability to dig deep when others wilt. Take the wicket of Atkinson to clinch the match, clattering the stumps in this most chaotic of finales.
It was clocked at 143kmph, according to CricViz, his fifth-quickest ball of the series. That, after 1,111 balls in this series, shows remarkable strength. As proven with others, such as Ben Stokes, and the aforementioned Bumrah, who, despite their brilliance, have been unable to hold up to this relentless pace of five Tests and 25 sapping days of play crammed into 46 days.
“He’s a captain’s dream,” concluded the gleeful India skipper Shubman Gill. “Coming in for five matches, giving absolutely everything. Every team wants a player like him, and we’re very lucky to have him.”
If Bumrah is India’s talisman, then Siraj has elevated himself to be his partner in crime and a sensational stand-in when needed. An intimidating presence for the opposition and an able supporter of his teammates when tensions spill over in highly-charged moments, as proven during the antics at Lord’s after Zak Crawley’s theatrics to delay play on day three.
He is also the ultimate counter-puncher, as proven by the final delivery on day three at the Oval to rearrange Crawley’s stumps. If Test cricket is about momentum, then Siraj can swing it as much as the ball.
“I’ve always had great admiration and respect for Siraj as a competitor,” Ben Stokes conceded following the fifth Test. “He keeps coming and coming and coming.
“You know he’ll always be in a fight with you. He’s an example of what it means. I have respect for how he goes about his cricket and how he takes it on.”
The tourists had a mindset throughout the series that they were “not given a chance,” according to KL Rahul, with key figures Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma absent.
But the India opener insists that the fifth Test victory is “where the change begins” and that “it means absolutely everything.” If that is the case, then Siraj’s impact might just be felt for many years to come.
Repair Shop’s Jay Blades charged with two counts of rape
The Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades has been charged with two counts of rape.
The 55-year-old, who fronted the BBC series for seven years, is due to appear in court next Wednesday over the allegations.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: “Jason Blades, 55, of Claverley in Shropshire, has been charged with two counts of rape.
“He is due to appear at Telford magistrates’ court on 13 August 2025.”
Blades stepped away from presenting duties last year, having previously won a daytime Bafta TV award in 2023 along with other members of the BBC programme for a special featuring the King, who was at the time the Prince of Wales.
He supported the King’s Foundation, formerly the Prince’s Foundation, as an ambassador, and visited its Dumfries House location in Ayrshire for BBC special The Repair Shop: A Royal Visit.
Upon becoming an ambassador for the royal charity, he praised Charles’s vision og “championing a sustainable approach to how we live our lives”. He has since resigned from his role.
The furniture restorer, who was made an MBE for services to craft in 2022, has also resigned from his role as chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University.
How Macmillan Cancer Support built a movement that reaches everyone
FTSE 100 latest as Diageo reports profit drop and UK strikes £19m pork deal with Mexico
Stock markets rose in the UK and the rest of Europe on Monday, as investors sought to buy back in following last week’s falling share prices on the back of Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcement. The FTSE 100 enjoyed a rise of 0.4 per cent before US stocks followed suit to move higher – though Switzerland’s index took a hit due to the unexpectedly high tariff placed on the nation.
Elsewhere, mortgage rates are starting to hot up again in anticipation of an interest rate cut from the Bank of England later this week. The likes of Nationwide and Barclays have been reducing two- and five-year deal terms, with hundreds of thousands of homeowners still set to renew their deals this year.
Meanwhile, the UK has agreed its latest trade deal with Mexico – albeit a more limited one surrounding pork products, worth an estimated £19m across five years.
Follow The Independent’s live coverage of the latest stock market and business news here:
Girl, 4, dies in tragic incident at Waterworld
A four-year-old girl has died following an incident at a swimming pool at Waterworld, Staffordshire Police said.
The force was called to the water park in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, at around 4.20pm on Monday to reports of a girl in a critical condition.
She was treated at the scene and then taken to hospital for further treatment but she died there.
Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers, police said.
Waterworld will remain closed on Tuesday “out of respect for the family”, the water park said.
A witness told Stoke-on-TrentLive: “There was at least 8 police cars and around 4 ambulances when I went drove past the first time, all with their emergency lights on.
“Then I saw the air ambulance land on Autobrite Direct car park, with the paramedics running back towards Waterworld. I hope everyone’s okay. It looks very serious from there being so many police and ambulances present at the scene.”
Another witness told the outlet: “I’m not sure what’s happened, but it seems major!”
The Waterworld statement continued: “It is with great sadness that we learned of this little girl’s passing this evening.
“All our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during these extremely difficult times.
“Waterworld is in shock and has decided to remain closed tomorrow out of respect for the family.”
They added that the park is working with the authorities.
Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Maskew said: “Our thoughts are with the family at this terribly sad time.
“We are now making inquiries and looking to establish the circumstances of the incident.
“We would ask that members of the public avoid speculating in these early stages of the investigation and allow the family to grieve.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 460 of August 4.