Independent monitors reveal nearly 100 children detained as adults under UK-France migration deal
Figures show 31% of age-disputed cases under the 'one in, one out' scheme were assessed as minors, with concerns raised over excessive detention periods and poor health screening.
Nearly 100 children have been wrongly identified and detained as adults under the UK-France migration agreement, according to a highly critical letter sent to the Home Office. Jane Leech, interim chair of the independent monitoring boards (IMBs), wrote to Home Office minister Anna Turley to highlight systemic safeguarding failures within Operation Hillmore, the official designation for the 'one in, one out' scheme.
Data obtained by the IMBs reveals that of 304 age-disputed cases recorded between 15 August 2025 and 1 May 2026, 94 individuals—representing 31 per cent—were ultimately assessed as minors. This figure stands in direct contradiction to government policy, which excludes children from the scheme and limits the immigration detention of unaccompanied minors to 24 hours.
Leech’s correspondence outlines significant operational breaches, noting that some detainees were held for more than six months despite the scheme’s intended pace, which typically limits detention to 28 days in exceptional cases. One individual was detained for 27 weeks, while in other instances, age assessments took 40 days or longer to complete after arrival at immigration removal centres.
The letter also details severe deficiencies in health screening and safeguarding. Leech reported that individuals with tuberculosis were being prepared for removal, with one case involving a transfer from Manston to Gatwick immigration removal centre. Additionally, another detainee was refused admission to Brook House due to critical health issues and referred directly to hospital. The IMB chair warned that vulnerable individuals, including survivors of torture and abuse, were being placed in detention without adequate protection.
Imran Hussain, executive director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, described the statistics as disturbing, emphasising the risks of treating refugee children as adults. He called for the government to prioritise professional assessments led by trained social workers, citing them as the most accurate method for determining age and mitigating safeguarding risks. Government figures indicate that 1,087 people were returned to France under the deal between August 2025 and June 2026, while 27,920 small boat arrivals occurred during the same period.
