The British government said Wednesday that a pilot program with France to reduce migrant crossings in small boats has been scrapped.

The Home Office said the "one in, one out" deal is "no longer processing new cases."

Under the plan, people who reached the U.K. by crossing the Channel could be detained and sent back to France.

In return, France would take in an equal number of asylum seekers who applied through a safe and legal route.

About 1,500 people were returned to France, while slightly fewer were transferred to the U.K.

The deal was meant to last three years, but it included a clause letting either side end it early.

The Home Office said Britain continues to work with France to tackle small boat crossings and has made real progress.

It said deportation flights will continue in the coming weeks for people already detained.

Crossings have fallen sharply this year to a five-year low, with around 19,000 people making the journey so far.

That is down about 40% from the same period last year.

The Home Office credited increased police patrols and better surveillance in northern France.

The dangers of the crossings were shown Monday, when a 10-year-old child and two women died.

They were apparently trampled to death on a boat carrying more than 100 people.

Cooperation on the issue stalled after the U.K. left the European Union in 2020.

However, the two countries have signed several agreements since then.

Small boat crossings have become a major political issue in the U.K.

They have driven protests, riots, and support for the hard-right Reform UK party.