The newly elected British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced a new approach to addressing illegal migration on Thursday. He pledged £84 million (approximately USD 108 million) in funding to combat illegal migration at its source.
Starmer emphasized the need for collaboration with European partners to share intelligence, expertise, and dismantle human trafficking gangs. “To stop illegal migration, we must also tackle it at source,” he said. “Today, I am announcing £84 million in new funding for projects across Africa and the Middle East. This includes humanitarian and health support, skills training, job opportunities, and access to education.”
The Prime Minister made these remarks at the fourth European Political Community summit in southwestern England, where discussions focused on migration, the war in Ukraine, and energy security.
In the year ending March 2024, the UK saw 38,546 irregular arrivals.