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Downing Street has denied claims that a deportation deal with France is failing, following plans to send back people arriving in small boats were abandoned for a second consecutive day.

When asked by reporters whether the latest delay meant the controversial “one-for-one” deal was “chaotic,” a official for the prime minister said, “No.”

This statement came after deportation flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to return rejected asylum applicants to Paris were called off. Sources suggest that further attempts have been scheduled for the coming days, with a Whitehall insider indicating that the opening transfer is expected to proceed soon.

As part of the “one in, one out” trial program, UK authorities are expected to detain some of those who make the journey and deport them to France, in return receiving an asylum seeker in France who can prove they have family connections in Britain.

This arrangement was unveiled in July by the British leader and Emmanuel Macron. Speaking at a shared media briefing, the prime minister emphasized: “There is no quick fix here, but with a joint commitment, fresh strategies, and a renewed determination, we can eventually change the situation.”

In a further development, France’s government have suggested that the pilot could be abandoned if it is not working effectively.

French officials noted that it would accept only a limited group of migrants this week, highlighting the “very experimental nature of this deal.”

A source within the French government stated to news agencies: “There is a chance we could terminate the agreement if we deem it effective.”

Reports suggest that the Home Office is confronting a number of issues related to the vulnerability of many of the individuals held in advance of deportation, including those who are survivors of abuse and exploitation.

At the start of the week, multiple planes were due to carry a limited group of asylum seekers to Paris, but each were aborted at the final moment.

Believed that some of those set for deportation had filed failed appeals against deportation, but were not deported due to objections expressed by officials in Paris that the British officials had not provided adequate notice of the vulnerabilities of certain people, such as survivors of abuse.

According to the agreement agreed upon between the UK and France last month, the UK needs to notify France through written notice “confirming whether the person to be transferred could be in need of medical assistance or care.”

The Guardian is aware of an instance in which a legal challenge submitted by an detainee who was due to fly on Monday was denied. The individual was placed in a isolated section of the immigration center but was returned to his accommodation in the early morning of Monday and notified that he would not be flying as planned.

Advocacy groups have reported multiple individuals who had given flight details for Monday, one individual with flight plans for Tuesday, and at least two people with removal directions for Wednesday. Representatives say it is unclear why the detainee with deportation plans for Tuesday had their ticket cancelled.

France has suggested it will accept only a handful of deportations of a few dozen migrants, while the UK has stated it hopes to expand the program over the duration of the agreement in an effort to stop migrant arrivals in the Channel.

The acting director of the advocacy group commented: “The arrangement with France is letting down people fleeing persecution at all levels. Individuals and families are fleeing Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria, and other nations, seeking our protection, only to be confined to cramped spaces and refused assistance they desperately require. The government’s immigration lead must change course.”

Roughly 31,026 people have made the journey so far this year, putting 2025 on course to be a historic high for migrant arrivals.