The UK government is reportedly engaging in discussions with Turkey, Vietnam, and officials in the Kurdistan region of Iraq over potential financial agreements aimed at reducing the number of migrants attempting to reach Britain.
According to The Times, these talks focus on strategies to slow migration and enhance cooperation on security measures.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, addressing reporters en route to the G20 summit in Brazil, emphasised the importance of discouraging individuals from embarking on dangerous journeys to the UK, including perilous Channel crossings.
“Anything else we can do to stop people leaving in the first place is the right thing,” Starmer said, underlining the government’s commitment to tackling the root causes of migration.
Starmer also highlighted plans to dismantle criminal networks involved in people smuggling, describing the effort as a priority for the UK.
Interior Minister Yvette Cooper is believed to be leading discussions with foreign governments, including Turkey, Vietnam, and Kurdistan—a semi-autonomous region in Iraq.
The goal is to establish agreements addressing migration and security before the year’s end, The Times reported.
The Prime Minister’s office in London declined to comment on the reported negotiations.
Starmer’s stance aligns with his praise of Italy’s measures to combat illegal immigration during a visit to Rome in September.
He commended Italy’s efforts to prevent migrants from beginning their journeys and expressed a desire to replicate such approaches in the UK.
As the migration crisis continues to dominate political discourse, the Labour government appears focused on a multi-faceted strategy that includes international partnerships and stronger enforcement measures to curb irregular migration at its source.
Earlier this month, the Home Office reported that nine boats carrying a total of 572 people attempting to cross the English Channel were intercepted.
This latest wave of crossings follows UK Labour leader Keir Starmer’s announcement of new measures to address the “national security threat” posed by people smugglers.
Starmer pledged an additional £75 million in funding and the formation of a specialized team of detectives to crack down on criminal networks involved in smuggling.
Saturday’s arrivals bring the total number of small boat crossings for the year to 32,691—marking a 22% increase compared to last year’s 26,699. However, the figure is 18% lower than the total crossings recorded by November 2022, which stood at 39,929.
