The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has launched a call for evidence as part of a new inspection into the UK-France Agreement on the Prevention of Dangerous Journeys.
The review forms part of the Inspectorate’s 2026 to 2027 inspection programme and will assess how the current pilot is operating in practice.
For stakeholders involved in cross-border migration, asylum processes and enforcement, the inspection provides an opportunity to submit evidence on how the agreement is working on the ground, as well as highlighting operational issues ahead of any potential expansion.
Scope of the inspection
The inspection will examine whether the current pilot is meeting its stated objectives, with a focus on how processes operate in practice and whether outcomes are consistent.
Particular attention will be given to eligibility criteria, including how vulnerability is identified and assessed. This reflects ongoing concern about the application of safeguards in operational decision making and whether they are applied consistently across cases.
Operational effectiveness in practice
A central part of the review is how the agreement is implemented day to day. This includes how decisions are made, how processes are applied across different cases and whether there is variation in outcomes.
For practitioners, this may provide insight into how Home Office guidance is being applied in practice and whether there is consistency in decision making across the pilot.
Stakeholder engagement and transparency
The inspection will assess the extent to which stakeholders have been able to engage with the Home Office on both the design and operation of the pilot, which includes organisations working with affected individuals, legal representatives and others with relevant experience. This focus indicates that the review will consider not only operational delivery, but also how accessible and transparent the process has been for those interacting with it.
Transition from pilot to full implementation
The inspection will also consider the implications of moving from a pilot scheme to full implementation. This includes how the current model would operate at scale and whether existing processes are capable of supporting increased demand.
Issues such as operational capacity, consistency of decision making and the robustness of safeguards are likely to be central to this assessment.
Opportunity to submit evidence
The call for evidence is open until 7 April 2026. The Independent Chief Inspector has invited submissions from anyone with relevant knowledge or experience of the agreement, including both positive feedback and areas for improvement.
Submissions may be referenced in the final inspection report, although sources and case studies will be anonymised where possible.
Limits of the Inspectorate’s role
The Inspectorate does not make decisions on individual immigration cases, which remain the responsibility of the Home Office. However, individual cases may be considered where they illustrate wider systemic issues.
Implications for practitioners and stakeholders
For legal representatives, NGOs and others working in this area, the inspection provides an opportunity to influence how the agreement is assessed and how it may develop.
The findings are likely to inform future policy decisions, particularly if the Home Office moves beyond the pilot phase. Evidence submitted at this stage may therefore shape how the agreement evolves and how safeguards are applied in practice.
What this means for individuals
For individuals who may be affected by the UK-France Agreement, this inspection does not change the current legal position or application processes. The pilot arrangements remain in place while the review is ongoing.
However, the outcome of the inspection may influence how the agreement is applied in future, particularly if it moves to full implementation. Eligibility criteria, the assessment of vulnerability and procedural safeguards are all within scope.
Individuals and organisations with direct experience of the system may wish to consider contributing evidence, particularly where there are examples of how the process operates in practice. While the Inspectorate does not determine individual cases, it can identify systemic issues that may lead to changes in policy or operational guidance.
Details of the Call for Evidence can be found here >>
