Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet with his Italian counterpart in Rome today to discuss plans to tackle illegal migration.
The right-wing Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has seen a 60 per cent drop in illegal migration in the past year and recently signed a controversial deal with Albania.
Asked whether he would consider a similar agreement, Sir Keir said this weekend: “Let’s see. It’s early days, I’m interested in how that works, I think everybody else is.”
Sir Keir will be joined by the new lead of the Border Security Command, former NPCC chair Martin Hewitt.
The PM, who announced he was axing the Conservative’s Rwanda policy as one of his first moves in office, declared there would be “no more gimmicks” to curb migration.
It comes as eight migrants died while trying to cross the English Channel on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the government is facing fresh criticism decision to cull winter fuel payments, with millions of pensioners set to lose out from today.
Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly said it was an “unbelievably foolish choice” while Liberal Democrat’s Wendy Chamberlain said means-testing the payment worth up to £300 was a “historic mistake”.
Starmer under fresh attack for ‘unbelievably foolish’ winter fuel payment cuts
Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh criticism over his Government’s decision to cull winter fuel payments, with millions of pensioners set to lose out from Monday.
Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly said it was an “unbelievably foolish choice” while Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokeswoman Wendy Chamberlain said means-testing the payment worth up to £300 was a “historic mistake”.
Ms Chamberlain said: “This new Government is set to make a historic mistake today as millions of pensioners see their winter fuel payments cut.
“Scrapping winter fuel payments for most pensioners including many in poverty is completely wrong. It’s not too late for ministers to change course.
“Liberal Democrats will fight tooth and nail to reverse this cut. We’ll be using our record number of MPs in Parliament to hold the Government to account on this issue and fight for a fair deal for pensioners.”
Jabed Ahmed16 September 2024 08:32
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Jabed Ahmed16 September 2024 08:29