Sir Keir Starmer has announced an £84 million allocation for health and education projects abroad, which he described as essential for addressing the migration crisis. Criticizing the previous Conservative government for failing to tackle the issue, Starmer stated that the funding would address the root causes of migration by supporting health, education, and humanitarian projects in various regions. He highlighted the need for international cooperation and emphasized that turning inward would not solve the problems.
The funding breakdown includes:
- £13 million for “migration for development” programs in North and East Africa
- £21 million for key host and transit countries like Libya, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Chad
- £26 million for programs supporting Syrian refugees in the Middle East and surrounding regions
- £24 million in direct aid for communities in Sudan, Chad, and Ethiopia
- £2 million for the International Organisation for Migration’s projects in Libya
Speaking at a press conference at Blenheim Palace during the European Political Community (EPC) summit, Starmer said the government is “resetting our approach” and “deepening our cooperation” with European partners to combat illegal migration. This includes increasing the UK’s presence at Europol, new cooperation with Slovenia and Slovakia to tackle organized crime, and sharing more intelligence to dismantle smuggling networks.
Starmer dismissed the previous government’s Rwanda deportation scheme as ineffective and pledged practical, lawful solutions. He drew on his experience as a former director of public prosecutions, asserting that similar cross-border efforts could be applied to organized migration crime.
Starmer is under pressure to address Channel crossings, with over 14,000 people making the journey in 2024. He acknowledged the severity of the problem, attributing the situation to the previous government’s mismanagement and the failed Rwanda scheme. Starmer highlighted his administration’s swift actions, including establishing a new Border Security Command and forming agreements with European partners at the EPC summit.
He emphasized the importance of border control for national security and criticized the previous government’s approach as a “dereliction of duty.” Starmer assured that his government is making progress and will continue to address the issue rapidly.
Credit: SkyNews