UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer explores Albania’s migration scheme, developed in collaboration with Italy, as a potential replacement for the controversial Rwanda plan

Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, is signalling a shift in the UK’s approach to handling migration by exploring Albania as a potential alternative to Rwanda for processing asylum seekers. Starmer’s interest in the Albanian scheme comes amidst a broader effort to address the UK’s ongoing small boat migration crisis and reflects a significant policy shift from the previous government’s approach.

The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has developed a new migration processing plan involving Albania. The scheme, agreed upon last year, includes the establishment of two processing centres in the Balkan country, where asylum claims for up to 36,000 migrants annually will be evaluated. The first of these centres is expected to open this autumn after a series of delays.

Starmer’s remarks, made during a recent visit to Washington, highlight his interest in how Albania’s processing system operates and its potential application in the UK. He noted that he is keen to explore how this model might address the UK’s migration challenges, particularly in light of the Labour government’s decision to abandon the controversial Rwanda scheme.

In a shift from the previous government’s policies, which included plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, the new approach under Italy’s scheme involves returning rejected asylum seekers to their home countries while allowing those whose claims are accepted to enter Italy. This method contrasts with the Rwanda plan, which faced significant criticism and legal hurdles.

Starmer’s upcoming meeting with Meloni in Rome, scheduled for Sunday, will be a pivotal opportunity to delve into the specifics of the Albanian processing scheme. Starmer has already had preliminary discussions with Meloni about possible collaborations on irregular migration and is expected to further explore these topics during their meeting.

Italy has seen notable success with its migration policies in recent months, partly due to financial agreements with Tunisia and Libya. This has resulted in a significant reduction in migrant crossings from these regions—an 80% decrease from Tunisia and a 27% reduction from Libya in the past year. This success underscores the effectiveness of Italy’s approach, which Starmer is now considering adapting for the UK.

The Prime Minister’s trip to Rome is part of a broader European effort to enhance cooperation on migration issues. Starmer has also engaged with leaders in Germany and France, addressing challenges related to the migration crisis and the movement of boats used for Channel crossings. His strategy includes a comprehensive approach, involving both preventive measures and international collaborations.

Starmer has previously committed £84 million in foreign aid to tackle the root causes of irregular migration, such as conflict, climate change, and extreme poverty. This funding aims to improve education and employment opportunities in source countries and bolster resilience to migration pressures.

THE GUARDIAN

Keir Starmer faces criticism from Labour backbenchers and NGOs as he prepares for talks in Rome about Italy’s immigration strategies. The controversy centres on the UK’s interest in Italy’s approach, particularly after Foreign Secretary David Lammy suggested adopting similar measures, like processing asylum seekers in third countries such as Albania. Critics, including the Refugee Council and Amnesty International, argue that learning from Italy’s hard-right policies, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is problematic given the negative human rights implications and the previous failures of similar schemes.

The criticism is intensified by recent tragic incidents involving migrants, such as the death of eight men attempting to cross the Channel and the rescue of a baby with hypothermia. Critics argue that the UK should focus on improving its current asylum system rather than exploring controversial models. Labour MP Kim Johnson and others express concern that emulating Italy’s approach could lead to further human rights abuses, likening it to a “blueprint for abuse.”

While Italy’s measures, including financial deals with North African countries and the proposed processing center in Albania, have reportedly reduced arrivals, Starmer’s potential adoption of these strategies has stirred debate. The Home Office has clarified that Lammy’s comments do not represent government policy, and no current plans involve processing asylum seekers in Albania.

Starmer’s upcoming visit to Italy aims to explore how Italy has tackled irregular migration, but it also faces scrutiny for potentially endorsing policies viewed as harsh or inhumane. The broader goal is to strengthen international cooperation on migration, though the effectiveness and ethical implications of such strategies remain contentious.

SKY NEWS

Keir Starmer is under scrutiny as he meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome to discuss Italy’s migration strategies. This visit follows Italy’s recent controversial deal with Albania, where Tirana will process some of Italy’s asylum seekers. This agreement aims to manage migration flows by relocating certain asylum applicants to Albania while their claims are processed, though it remains partially unimplemented.

Starmer’s government has appointed Martin Hewitt, the former Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, to lead the new Border Security Command, reflecting a focus on tackling small boat crossings and people-smuggling gangs. This appointment underscores Starmer’s commitment to a rigorous approach to border control.

The backdrop to these discussions includes recent tragedies, such as the deaths of eight migrants attempting to cross the Channel. Starmer has emphasized a shift away from “gimmicks” and towards substantive actions to address illegal migration, contrasting his approach with previous efforts like the scrapped Rwanda scheme.

Critics from the Conservative Party argue that Starmer’s strategy lacks a concrete plan and merely mirrors other nations’ policies. They claim that the Labour government’s shift from the Rwanda deal has not sufficiently deterred illegal migration or addressed the underlying issues.

Starmer’s visit to Italy is part of a broader effort to reset the UK’s relationships with European allies, also focusing on defense and Ukraine. However, the effectiveness and ethical implications of adopting Italy’s migration measures remain contentious.

THE TELEGRAPH

Keir Starmer is exploring the possibility of adopting elements of Italy’s immigration strategy, particularly a controversial scheme involving Albania. This scheme, developed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, involves processing asylum claims in Albania. The plan aims to manage the flow of migrants, with rejected claims leading to returns to their home countries and accepted claims allowing entry into Italy.

Italy has successfully reduced illegal migration across the Mediterranean by 62% over the past year, thanks to strict enforcement and financial agreements with Tunisia and Libya. Starmer has expressed interest in this model, indicating a willingness to discuss it with Meloni during his visit to Rome.

This exploration comes despite Starmer’s recent decision to scrap the previous government’s Rwanda plan, which required rejected asylum seekers to stay in Rwanda. Instead, Starmer is focusing on collaborative measures with European partners to address irregular migration. His broader strategy includes a £84 million aid pledge to tackle migration’s root causes, such as conflict and poverty. The visit reflects Starmer’s effort to strengthen UK-EU relations and enhance migration management.