The government is under pressure to reduce the numbers, having previously promised to “smash the gangs” organising the journeys.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hailed the agreement as “ground breaking” and an “important step towards undermining the business model of the organised crime gangs”.
“It is also right to make clear that – while the UK will always be ready to play its part alongside other countries in helping those fleeing persecution and conflict – this must be done in a controlled and managed legal way, not through dangerous, illegal, and uncontrolled routes,” she said.
On Monday, the government announced £100m to fund 300 National Crime Agency Officers to stop the people smugglers arranging the crossings.
It has also said it wants to tackle illegal working, to reduce pull factors encouraging people to come to the UK.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the government’s deal with the French would be less effective than the Rwanda plan, proposed by the previous Conservative government.
“The Rwanda removals deterrent, under which 100% of illegal arrivals would be removed, was ready to go last summer but Labour cancelled it just days before it was due to start with no proper replacement plan,” he said.
“As a result, this year so far has been the worst ever for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel.”
When the UK and France first announced the plan in July, the charity Asylum Matters criticised the measure, arguing: “The only way to stop people from making dangerous journeys is to give them real safe routes to seek sanctuary.”