A government review will look at how to stop migrants crossing the English Channel and entering the UK amid concern that current measures are not working.
Downing Street has handed the task to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Stephen Barclay with bringing departments together to find a solution.
More than 24,700 people have arrived in the UK so far this year after making the crossing, almost three times the number in 2020.
One former head of the Border Force told Sky News the government was very reliant on France to stop crossings.
Tony Smith said: “If the French won’t intervene at sea or take returns, I don’t think there is much room for manoeuvre,”
“Returning to other source and transit countries may be an option but we will need readmission agreements.”
The Times reported on Thursday that the UK was in talks with Albania over locating facilities in the country.
Westminster sources say the idea of offshoring is a serious one, but admit it is difficult to get agreements with third countries and expensive to implement.
“The thing with the offshoring isn’t really that we will send loads of people there, it would stop them coming in first place. They are spending thousands to gangs for this service. Nobody is going to pay loads to end up in Albania,” said one source.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Migrants making these dangerous crossings are putting their lives at risk and it is vital we do everything we can to prevent them and break the business model of the criminal gangs exploiting people.
“People should claim asylum in the first safe country they arrive in, and as part of our response it is important we have a maritime deterrent in the channel and work with international partners to put an end to these dangerous journeys.”
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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