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Emigration and immigration

Starmer to Meet Albanian PM Amid Plans to Send Failed Asylum Seekers to Western Balkans

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, will meet with Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, in Tirana today to discuss plans to send failed asylum seekers to western Balkan countries. The UK government is drawing up plans to send failed asylum seekers to "return hubs" overseas, with Albania, Serbia, Bosnia, and North Macedonia among the countries that could host such hubs. The prime minister has put a promise to "smash the people-smuggling gangs" at the heart of attempts to reduce illegal migration, and the government will announce plans to supply drones and share intelligence with North Macedonia and Montenegro.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 12,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats since the start of the year, a record, highlighting the need for effective migration policies.
  • The UK government plans to send failed asylum seekers to "return hubs" overseas, with Albania, Serbia, Bosnia, and North Macedonia among the countries that could host such hubs.
  • Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he is willing to do "anything that works", provided it is "consistent with international law", to address the issue of illegal migration.
  • The plans differ from the Tory plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, as people would be sent abroad only once they had exhausted attempts to claim asylum.
  • The government's plans have been endorsed by the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, which has set out how return hubs could meet human rights standards.
  • Italy has funded two detention centres in Albania to process illegal migrants, but only 50 have been sent to the centres after a succession of legal challenges.
  • The Labour party is facing pressure from Reform UK, which emerged as the most popular party in local elections this month.
  • Government sources have said the plans are at a relatively advanced stage, despite a hold-up in talks with European countries about setting up return hubs.
  • The government will supply drones and share intelligence with North Macedonia and Montenegro to "cripple" people-smugglers.

Statistics:

  • Over 12,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats since the start of the year.
  • 50 people have been sent to detention centres in Albania after a succession of legal challenges.
  • The UK government plans to pay for each failed asylum seeker relocated to return hubs overseas.
  • Only 50 people have been sent to two detention centres in Albania funded by Italy to process illegal migrants.

Sources:

  • Steven Swinford, Political Editor, "Starmer to meet Albanian PM as discussions intensify over plans to send failed asylum seekers to western Balkans"
  • Matt Dathan, "Labour leader to promise 'shared solutions' to problem of illegal immigration during talks with Edi Rama"

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