PM shows 'great interest' in Italy's offshore migrant plan
The Independent|September 17, 2024
Sir Keir Starmer has shown “great interest” in Italy’s controversial scheme to send migrants to be processed offshore, the country’s leader Giorgia Meloni has said.
KATE DEVLIN, ARCHIE MITCHELL
PM shows 'great interest' in Italy's offshore migrant plan

A defiant Italian premier also defended her deal with Albania, brushing aside humanitarian concerns as “completely groundless”.

Sir Keir has not ruled out a similar scheme in the UK and said he would employ “British pragmatism” when it comes to solving the small boats crisis, after a summit with Ms Meloni in Rome. The two met after another tragic weekend in which eight people died attempting to cross the English Channel.

Before the prime minister’s trip, No 10 praised Ms Meloni and said the pair would discuss her country’s success in slashing boat crossings by 60 per cent over the past year. As well as the yet-tobegin Albania scheme, the Italian PM has struck financial deals with countries including Tunisia and Libya in a bid to prevent small boats setting off from north Africa.

In the wake of the summit, the UK is expected to give some £4m to an initiative called the Rome Process, an Italian government scheme to tackle the root causes of irregular migration. After their meeting, Ms Meloni told a press conference: “The UK government has shown great interest in this [Albania] agreement.”

Earlier the home secretary Yvette Cooper defended the deal describing it as “very, very different” from Rishi Sunak’s widely condemned Rwanda plan. Under the Conservatives’ scheme, which Labour scrapped immediately after taking power, asylum seekers would have been sent on a one-way ticket to the African nation, whether or not their asylum application was successful.

Under the Meloni plan, Albania will accept asylum seekers on Italy’s behalf while their claims are processed. Those whose claims are successful, expected to be a small minority, will be brought to Italy, while failed asylum seekers from safe countries will be returned to their home country.

Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin September 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin September 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE INDEPENDENT DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The Extremism Of Trump's Pick For Intelligence Chief
The Independent

The Extremism Of Trump's Pick For Intelligence Chief

Tulsi Gabbard made the journey from anti-war Democrat to Moscow-friendly Maga warrior. Rich Hall looks at how

time-read
9 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Will Labour Party Mps Get Behind Pm's Welfare Blitz?
The Independent

Will Labour Party Mps Get Behind Pm's Welfare Blitz?

Labour's blitz on benefits comes with some eye-catching language from the prime minister, announced in The Mail on Sunday. He has warned of Britain's "bulging benefits bill blighting our society" as he vows to cut the £137bn cost.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 25, 2024
England hammer Japan to end vexing autumn on high
The Independent

England hammer Japan to end vexing autumn on high

After a November of frets and frustration came a chance for fun and frolics for England.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Verstappen pulls up next to F1 elite with his fourth title
The Independent

Verstappen pulls up next to F1 elite with his fourth title

Dutch driver seals championship under lights of Las Vegas

time-read
3 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Treasure's chest! Salah stars for Reds in comeback win
The Independent

Treasure's chest! Salah stars for Reds in comeback win

Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League yesterday as Mohamed Salah scored twice to help them come from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 at St Mary’s.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Amorim kicks-off United role with lacklustre draw
The Independent

Amorim kicks-off United role with lacklustre draw

Ruben Amorim can at least remind himself that Manchester United’s best managers have had worse starts.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Have I got time to get a new passport for trip to Europe?
The Independent

Have I got time to get a new passport for trip to Europe?

Q My passport expires in July 2025. Is the Passport Office doing renewals quickly these days? If not, when is the best time? I intend to go to Europe before March.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
Far-right populist leads in Romanian presidential vote
The Independent

Far-right populist leads in Romanian presidential vote

A far-right populist took the lead in Romania's presidential election yesterday and will probably face leftist prime minister Marcel Ciolacu in a runoff in two weeks, an outcome that rocked the country's political landscape.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Three held after prominent Israeli rabbi killed in Dubai
The Independent

Three held after prominent Israeli rabbi killed in Dubai

Emirati police question men as Iran denies any involvement

time-read
2 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Lab test monkeys are flown to UK 'injured and terrified'
The Independent

Lab test monkeys are flown to UK 'injured and terrified'

Monkeys flown into the UK for laboratory testing were so badly injured that their crates were smeared with blood, photographs suggest.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 25, 2024