Starmer reveals 24,000 deportations under Labour government
- Sir Keir Starmer stated that 24,000 individuals have been returned under the Labour government since they took power.
- He expressed anger about the scale of illegal immigration, framing it as a significant global security threat.
- The summit emphasized the necessity for collaborative actions to dismantle smuggling networks and support vulnerable migrants.
In London, a summit aimed at tackling organized immigration crime was held, bringing together interior ministers and law enforcement from more than 40 countries, including the US, Iraq, Vietnam, and France. During this summit, Sir Keir Starmer expressed his anger over the scale of illegal immigration worldwide, stating it was a massive driver of global insecurity. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts against people smuggling, which he equated to a global security threat. Starmer also highlighted Labour's record of returning 24,000 individuals who had no legal right to stay in the UK since they came into power. The UK Prime Minister criticized the previous Conservative government's approach, claiming that it had allowed illegal migration to skyrocket, branding the UK a 'soft touch' on immigration. He warned that the strain on public services and taxpayer-funded accommodations unfairly impacts ordinary working people. The event underscored the increasing urgency surrounding immigration issues, with the Prime Minister calling for decisive actions to address illegal migration compellingly. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper shed light on the horrifying tactics employed by people smuggling gangs. These criminals, she explained, exploit vulnerable migrants, often placing women and children in dangerous positions on overcrowded boats. Cooper described how these gangs have developed sophisticated networks over the years and asserted that the government has committed to dismantling these operations with the aid of international partners. New funding of £30 million has been earmarked to support high-impact operations by the Border Security Command in addressing supply chains and trafficking routes. As the summit progressed, critical figures were presented, with 24,103 returns implemented in a nine-month period, the highest recorded since 2017. This surge in returns coincides with Labour's intensified efforts resulting in a notable increase in the number of foreign national offenders removed from the UK. While some advocates welcomed the government's collaborative approach with other nations, they argued that enforcement-focused strategies would not be sufficient alone to solve the crisis. By calling attention to these issues, the summit aims to garner international cooperation to combat the dangerous smuggling networks exploiting vulnerable individuals.