During a session with the home affairs select committee, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood addressed questions regarding the financial efficiency of the government's 'one in, one out' migration policy. The scheme, launched in August 2025, aims to manage irregular migration by facilitating the return of individuals to France. Mahmood confirmed that the cost per return currently stands at approximately £56,000.

Since the inception of the program, the Home Office has successfully removed 1,400 people. However, the effectiveness of these removals remains a point of discussion, as the Home Secretary acknowledged that some of those returned have subsequently managed to re-enter the UK via small boats or by hiding in lorries. When pressed by committee members for more precise or updated financial data regarding the most recent operations, Mahmood indicated that she would provide further written details to the committee at a later date.

The disclosure has prompted scrutiny regarding whether the high cost per return represents a sustainable or effective use of taxpayer funds. While the government maintains the scheme is a necessary component of its border management strategy, the recurring nature of some migrants' arrivals after being processed under the 'one in, one out' policy highlights the ongoing logistical challenges facing the Home Office.