UK PM Keir Starmer promises stronger cooperation to stop illegal migration

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to improve cooperation with European countries to tackle people smuggling ahead of talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This comes as part of his push to reset Britain’s relations with Europe after winning the election in July.

Starmer is visiting Rome following trips to Berlin, Paris, and Dublin, as he makes it a priority to work with European leaders. He wants to stop illegal migration by breaking down the smuggling networks that exploits people.

Starmer said this will be a “new era of international enforcement” to protect borders and bring order to the asylum system.

He has appointed Martin Hewitt, former chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, to lead a new Border Security Command. This command will work with other countries to investigate and dismantle smuggling operations.

Starmer has also scrapped the previous government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda but hasn’t ruled out offshore processing, similar to Italy’s arrangement with Albania.

He plans to visit Italy’s National Coordination Centre for Migration to discuss their approach, which has helped reduce irregular sea arrivals by 60%.

In addition to migration, Starmer will talk about defense matters with Meloni, particularly the UK’s role in the GCAP fighter jet project with Italy and Japan.

His visit comes after French authorities reported the deaths of eight people attempting to cross the Channel, bringing the total number of deaths this year to 46.

Starmer’s government plans to increase deportation flights and use funds saved from the canceled Rwanda scheme to improve law enforcement efforts to control illegal crossings.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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