LONDON, July 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The newly elected British Prime Minister seeks to reset the UK’s approach to illegal migration.
Keir Starmer announced £84m (or about USD 108m) in funding to tackle illegal migration.
He also promised his government will “work with European partners to share intelligence data, expertise and put the gangs out of business”.
“But to stop illegal migration, we must also tackle it at source. So today I’m announcing £84 million of new funding for projects across Africa and the Middle East. That includes humanitarian and health support, skills training, help with job opportunities and access to education,” he said.
The PM was speaking at the fourth European Political Community (EPC) summit held in south-western England tackling migration, the war in Ukraine and energy security.
In the year ending March 2024, there were 38,546 irregular arrivals to the United Kingdom.
The EPC, which includes the 27 members of the European Union as well as 20 non-members like the UK, is a more informal forum for cooperation.
The summit has focused on the challenge of illegal migration, as well as support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said £84m of funding would be rolled out over the next three years to address the factors driving people into small boats.
Projects set to get funding include programmes helping Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon to access education and jobs, as well as migrants in North and East Africa to fill local skills gaps, and humanitarian aid for displaced people in war-torn Sudan.
Stopping people crossing the Channel in small boats is one of the major challenges facing the new government. — NNN-AGENCIES
