The British government said on Wednesday that a pilot program with France has been stopped.

The program aimed to reduce migrant crossings in small boats.

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 held.

Then they could be sent back to France.

In return, France would take in the same number of asylum seekers.

These people applied through a safe and legal route.

About 1,500 people were returned to France.

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 on small boat crossings.

It said real progress has been made.

It said deportation flights will continue in the coming weeks.

These flights are for people already held.

Crossings have fallen sharply this year to a five-year low.

Around 19,000 people have made the journey so far.

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

The Home Office credited increased police patrols in northern France.

It also credited better surveillance there.

The dangers of the crossings were shown on Monday.

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.

But 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.