Immigration minister Robert Jenrick is visiting Mediterranean international locations this week as a part of a authorities concentrate on tackling unlawful migration.
He will likely be visiting Algeria, Tunisia and Italy, earlier than heading to France.
The Times studies the Italian authorities is anticipating 400,000 folks to enter the nation from North Africa this 12 months – in forecasts ready for right-wing chief Giorgia Meloni’s first full 12 months in workplace as prime minister.
Mr Jenrick, who works beneath Home Secretary Suella Braverman, will meet ministers and officers.
According to the Home Office, he’ll “receive threat briefings to inform the UK’s approach to preventing illegal migration”.
The journey comes as the federal government launches an promoting marketing campaign in Albania to warn folks they face being detained and deported in the event that they try to come back to the UK.
With the climate enhancing, the quantity trying the crossing is predicted to extend.
The Conservatives – and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – have made tackling unlawful migration a precedence after file numbers crossed the Channel in small boats in 2022.
At least 45,728 made the journey final 12 months – and seven,297 to this point in 2023, in accordance with official figures.
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Mr Jenrick stated: “Organised immigration crime is a global challenge which requires international solutions the whole way along the migration route.
“That contains working proactively at supply earlier than folks set off on harmful and pointless journeys.
“We are determined to stop the boats and the campaign, launching in Albania this week, is just one component of the Home Office’s work upstream to help dispel myths about illegal travel to the UK, explain the realities, and combat the lies pedalled by evil people-smugglers who profit from this vile trade.”
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This week’s motion additionally follows plans to clamp down on authorized immigration by stopping household of worldwide college students from with the ability to dwell within the UK.
Figures final week confirmed web authorized migration within the earlier 12 months was 606,000 – a file excessive.
However, it included a considerable portion of that determine arrived from Hong Kong and Ukraine as a part of particular humanitarian visa schemes.
Source: information.sky.com”