Ministers are eyeing a controversial plan to send failed asylum seekers to overseas detention centres, with Keir Starmer currently in Albania for talks on ‘return hubs’. The proposals have already sparked a backlash – what do you think?
A plan that could see failed asylum seekers shipped off to overseas detention centres has sparked an almighty backlash, with critics calling it ‘inhumane and unworkable’, while the government argues it could be cost-effective and prevent further asylum claims. Now we want to know what YOU think of the idea.
Keir Starmer is currently in Albania for talks on this idea, which would involve setting up “return hubs” in several countries to process those who’ve exhausted their asylum claims. Albania has already done something similar with Italy – and human rights groups are up in arms about it.
The plan would mean people who’ve had their asylum claims denied could be sent to other countries before being deported home. Though we don’t know which other countries are in the mix, Starmer met with Albania’s PM, Edi Rama, earlier today in Tirana.
The PM said this morning: “What now we want to do – and are having discussions about – are return hubs which is where someone has been through the system in the UK, they need to be returned and we have to make sure they’re returned effectively and we’ll do that, if we can, through return hubs.
“No single measure is going to be a silver bullet. By putting it all together – arrests, seizures, agreements with other countries, returning people who shouldn’t be here, and return hubs, if we can through these talks to add to our armoury, it will allow us to bear down on this vile trade and to make sure that we stop those people crossing the Channel.” Do you think Keir Starmer’s Albania plan will work? Take our poll below and if you can’t see it, click here
The proposals have sparked much ire. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “Returning people who don’t have a right to be in the UK is an important part of a functioning asylum system but these proposed return hubs are deceptive. They will not return people from the countries they have fled, but send them to countries like Albania, to be detained in prison like conditions. They are inhumane, unworkable and a waste of public funds at a time of national hardship.”
He continued: “We need a competent asylum system that doesn’t waste taxpayers’ money, and treats every human being with dignity.”
The Government believes the project would be completely different to the failed Tory Rwanda project. It says initial research found it would be cost-effective and viable. It believes that removing people will stop them seeking further reasons to stay in the UK, such as getting married or starting a family.
The Italian government, led by far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni, has already built two detention centres in Albania. Initially the agreement was supposed to see asylum seekers sent there while their claims for asylum in Italy were processed. But a string of legal challenges forced a rethink.
Last month 40 people were sent from Italy to Albania ahead of being returned to their homelands. They were detained at a former military base in Gjader. Italian law says they can remain in Albania for up to 18 months. It comes as the PM announced British drones will be used to target gangsters and people smugglers during a historic visit to Albania.
The PM says a task force will be beefed up in the Western Balkans to clampdown on trafficking gangs and intercept migrants before they reach the UK. Mr Starmer has announced the Joint Migration Task Force with Albania and Kosovo will be expanded to include North Macedonia and Montenegro.
The Government says this will be crucial in closing off a key route for people crossing Europe bound for the UK. Key measures will include improved DNA sharing which has already identified 55 criminals including murderers and rapists in the UK. And new steps will be taken to stop Albanians deported from the UK from trying to come back – including investing in employment programmes.
What do YOU think? Will Keir Starmer’s Albania plan work? Take our poll above and expand on your feelings in the comments below