The UK government is actively engaging in discussions with multiple countries to establish so-called “return hubs” aimed at managing failed asylum seekers, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced during a visit to Albania on Thursday. The move comes as the UK faces intense political and public pressure to reduce immigration and stem the rising tide of irregular migrants arriving on British shores, often via small boats crossing the English Channel.
Starmer, whose Labour government is grappling with complex immigration challenges left by previous Conservative administrations, emphasized the need for innovative solutions to control migration flows and improve the processing of asylum claims.
“We are in talks with a number of countries about return hubs,” Starmer told a joint news conference alongside Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who was recently re-elected.
Return hubs are proposed facilities located outside the UK where migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected would be sent before being returned to their countries of origin. The aim is to streamline the removal process and reduce delays caused by individuals using various legal or procedural tactics to avoid deportation.
Despite announcing the talks, Starmer did not reveal specific details about how these return hubs would function operationally or which countries were involved. However, his office clarified the initiative targets those who have exhausted all legal avenues to remain in the UK but attempt to stall their removal through tactics like losing paperwork or other delaying measures.
This approach represents a shift from the previous Conservative government’s policies. Notably, Starmer’s Labour administration scrapped the controversial Rwanda deportation scheme last July, which sought to relocate failed asylum seekers to Rwanda—a move criticized domestically and internationally.
Political Context: The UK’s Immigration Challenge
The announcement comes amid rising political tensions around immigration in the UK, particularly with the growing influence of the hard-right Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage. The party’s anti-immigration platform has gained traction, pressuring mainstream politicians like Starmer to adopt tougher stances.
Starmer’s government recently unveiled a suite of strict immigration measures aimed at controlling migration numbers, including:
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Reducing the number of overseas care workers allowed into the country.
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Doubling the residency requirement before migrants can apply for settlement.
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Expanding powers to deport foreign criminals.
These policies are widely viewed as efforts to curb support for Reform UK and address public concerns over immigration.
During the visit, Prime Minister Edi Rama clarified that Albania is not considering hosting a UK return hub. He referred to a previous arrangement involving Italy and Albania to process migrants in Albanian-run centers—a deal described as a “one-off” and currently entangled in legal challenges.
“The model that we’ve brought to Albania in cooperation with Italy … is a model that takes its time to be tested,” Rama said.
“If it works, it can be replicated, but not in Albania, in other countries of the region.” This highlights the complexity of establishing return hubs, especially in regions where migration policies are still evolving amid legal and political obstacles.
EU Developments and Their Influence on UK Strategy
The UK’s interest in return hubs aligns with broader migration reforms underway in Europe. In March, the European Commission proposed reforms to the EU’s asylum and return system, including the potential for member states to set up migrant return centers outside EU borders.
Though the UK is no longer an EU member, developments within the bloc influence migration policies globally and provide a model for other countries grappling with similar challenges.
Migration into the UK has surged in recent years, with net migration hitting a record 728,000 in the year leading up to June 2024, up from an average of 200,000 annually throughout much of the 2010s. The figure peaked at 906,000 in 2023, reflecting the strain on the country’s immigration and asylum systems.
The Labour party’s manifesto from last year pledged a significant reduction in net migration as part of its broader social and economic platform, making immigration reform a top priority. Conclusion: The UK’s Ongoing Struggle to Balance Migration and Security
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s discussions on return hubs signal the UK’s ongoing effort to find pragmatic solutions to immigration pressures. While details remain sparse, the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to tightening controls on irregular migration while navigating domestic political pressures and international cooperation challenges.
As migration continues to dominate the national agenda, the success of policies like return hubs will depend on diplomatic negotiations, legal frameworks, and public support in both the UK and potential partner countries.
Source-EWN