Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to give some £4 million to the far-right Italian government to tackle irregular migration.
The funding for the initiative, called the Rome Process, comes following the meeting of the two leaders.
Sir Keir met with his Italian counterpart in Rome today to discuss plans to tackle illegal migration.
The populist Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has seen a 60 per cent drop in illegal migration in the past year and recently signed a controversial deal with Albania.
Sir Keir said he is “very interested” in Italy’s policies leading to “dramatic reductions” in irregular migration.
“You’ve made remarkable progress working with countries across migration routes as equals, to address the drivers of migration at source and tackle gangs,” Sir Keir told the press conference.
Ms Meloni added she and Sir Keir had signed a joint communique including “very tangible, important points, and is evidence of the deep relation between our two countries.”
Sir Keir has signalled he is open to pursuing an arrangement similar to Italy’s migration deal with Albania, whereby asylum seekers will be held in the Balkan state while their claims are processed.
Key Points
- UK has shown ‘great interest' in Italy-Albania deal, Italian PM Meloni says
- Starmer praises Italy’s migrant policies
- Starmer meets Italian business leaders in Rome
- Starmer under fresh attack for ‘unbelievably foolish’ winter fuel payment cuts
Lib Dems put God on trial in court case of deselected Christian candidate
15:59
Jabed Ahmed
Starmer dodges question on allowing Ukraine to use Storm Shadow Missiles on Russian targets
15:39
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Sir Keir Starmer has said Nato needs to “put Ukraine in the best possible position”, when asked about the UK potentially lifting restrictions on Storm Shadow missiles to allow them to be used inside Russian territory.
“I think it is important for us to start from the fundamental position, which is that this is an illegal war started by Russia and, as a result, Ukraine has the right to self defence, and we have all – Italy, the UK and other allies, Nato allies in particular – been standing with Ukraine,” he told reporters in Rome.
He added: “It’s a war against the values of democracy, of freedom and the rule of law, which apply to all of us in our respective countries, but across all of the allies. That is why we’ve supplied capability, we’ve supplied training, we’ve supplied money, and there are further commitments to be made recently in relation to all of those.
“I think it’s very important as a matter of principle that we put Ukraine in the best possible position, and that’s what we’ve been discussing. We’ve had the opportunity today to touch on that.
“I had the opportunity in recent days to touch on that. I’m not going to go into individual capabilities. You wouldn’t expect me to do that, but the principle framework, I think, is absolutely right, and we’ll continue to have our discussions in relation to it.”
Explained: How has Italy reduced small boat arrivals by more than 60% in a year and what is the Albania scheme?
15:19
Jabed Ahmed
Starmer says 3,000 people have been returned to their country of origin under Labour government
14:59
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The Prime Minister claimed his Government has overseen “the single biggest flight that has ever taken off returning people to their country of origin”.
Sir Keir Starmer told reporters in Rome: “Of course, it’s a problem when we’ve got people arriving into the UK who are arriving unlawfully across the channel or any other route, and, of course, every government has the responsibility of making sure our borders are secure.
“Rather than a gimmick, which, as you know, cost £700 million to persuade four volunteers to go to Rwanda, we have gone down the road of pragmatism.
“Already we have returned over 3,000 people by flights. So, the flights actually did get off under this Government, not to Rwanda, but back to countries of origin, carrying with them 3,000 people who shouldn’t be here, including the single biggest flight that has ever taken off, returning people to their country of origin.
“That’s why we’re working so intently on the Border Security Command, which is intended to take down the gangs that are running the vile trade in the first place.”
Voices: Giorgia Meloni’s Albania migrant deal won’t work here
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Pictured: Victoria Starmer’s designer wardrobe amid claims donor paid for £5,000 worth of her clothes
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Government returns to ‘British pragmatism’ on migration, Starmer says
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Sir Keir signalled he was more interested in Italy’s work preventing migrants from reaching the country than its Albania deal, as he claimed his Government had returned to “British pragmatism” on migration.
The Prime Minister said Italy’s reduction in unauthorised migrant numbers was “more likely attributable to the work that the prime minister (Giorgia Meloni) has done upstream”.
He added: “I have always made the argument that preventing people leaving their country in the first place is far better than trying to deal with those that have arrived in any of our countries. I was very interested in that.
“In a sense, today was a return – if you like – to British pragmatism.
“We are pragmatists first and foremost. When we see a challenge we discuss with our friends and allies the different approaches that are being taken, look at what works, and that is the approach we have taken today, and it has been a very productive day.”
Claims of human rights violations in Italy-Albania deal ‘groundless’, Meloni says
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Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said concerns about human rights violations in the Italy-Albania migrant deal were “completely groundless”.
Asked about the concerns at a press conference in Rome, she said: “I don’t know what human rights violations you’re referring to, to be totally frank.
“This accusation, I think it’s completely groundless.”
She added that migrants sent to Albania would be dealt with under Italian jurisdiction.
UK has shown great interest in Italy-Albania deal, Meloni says
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Giorgia Meloni said the UK had shown “great interest” in the Italian government’s migration deal with Albania.
The Italian premier told a press conference in Rome that she and Sir Keir Starmer had signed a joint communique including “very tangible, important points, and is evidence of the deep relation between our two countries.”
She said they had discussed the Albanian deal, adding: “The UK Government has shown great interest in this agreement.”
Ms Meloni said they both want “to enhance this very good relationship between Italy and the UK” and “increase co-operation with the EU while of course respecting the post-Brexit rules”.
“I am very satisfied with this meeting today,” she added.
Starmer and Meloni discussed how they can work together to tackle global challenges
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Sir Keir Starmer said he and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni have discussed how the two countries can work together to tackle global challenges.
At a joint press conference, the Prime Minister said: “We used our time today to discuss the global challenges before us and our determination to meet them together.
He said they would “stand shoulder to shoulder to support Ukraine for as long as it takes”.
“We will work together, as we discussed, to deliver the 50 billion euros in loans for Ukraine under your G7 presidency.”
He added: “We are united in our support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”
Starmer praises Italy’s migrant policies
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Sir Keir told the press conference: “We also discussed the challenge of irregular migration, this is a problem across Europe - for both of our countries in particular but across Europe.”
He added: “You’ve made remarkable progress working with countries across migration routes as equals, to address the drivers of migration at source and tackle gangs.
“And as a result irregular arrivals to Italy by sea are down 60 per cent since 2022, so I’m pleased that we’re deepening our cooperation here led on the UK side here by our new UK Border Security Commander who has been here with me this morning.”
Meloni announces migration declaration with Starmer
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Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said: “The UK and Italy represent two fundamental pillars of the transatlantic community and these two countries are to play a primary role in international scenarios.
“The further enhancement of our strategic cooperation can be decisive to address the various points on the international agenda to guarantee prosperity to our countries and it is along these lines that these adopted today a joint declaration.
“A declaration which is very important because it has tangible points, important points, and is evidence of our deep-rooted relations between our two countries.”
Live: Starmer and Meloni share plans for tackling illegal migration at news conference in Rome
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Starmer reported to Parliament's standards watchdog over wife's clothes bought by donor
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The Conservatives have written to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner to call for an investigation into Sir Keir Starmer’s failure to declare donations from Lord Waheed Alli.
The letter, written by a Conservative MP to commissioner Daniel Greenberg, said: “In August it was then reported that Lord Alli had been given a temporary Downing Street security pass despite having no formal government role.
“It was reported that he had played an active role in selecting Cabinet (and other) appointments.
“It has now emerged that at the same time Sir Keir Starmer failed to declare a substantial gift of designer clothes, tailoring and a personal shopper bought for his wife by Lord Alli, both prior to the general election on July 4 2024 and following it.”
The letter also states: “There must be a full investigation into this scandal given this is not the first instance of the Prime Minister failing to declare donations and abiding by parliamentary rules.”
Starmer and Meloni joke and laugh as they prepare for joint press conference
13:12
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Sir Keir Starmer and Giorgia Meloni joked and smiled as they walked together in the gardens of the Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, where the two leaders are meeting to discuss deepening ties on migration and economic growth.
The UK Prime Minister and his Italian counterpart waved at cameras as they stopped by a water fountain to talk, well out of earshot of watching journalists.
Watch live as Starmer meets Italy’s PM in Rome to discuss migrant crossings
12:58
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Starmer ‘very worried’ over Trump assassination attempt as Farage condemns ‘appalling’ incident
12:46
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POLITICS EXPLAINED: After record election results, can the Lib Dems become the official opposition?
12:45
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Full report: Yvette Cooper defends Italy’s migration processing deal with Albania
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My colleague Archie Mitchell has the full report below:
Pictured: Starmer and Meloni met by marching band at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome
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Migration is an “international challenge” that needs and “international approach”, Downing Street says
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The Government needs to take “an international approach to an international challenge” on migration, Downing Street said when asked if the UK was concerned about the treatment of migrants in countries like Tunisia.
There have been reports that some migrants have been abandoned in the North African nation.
Asked whether there were concerns about such reports, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Obviously we take that incredibly seriously and want to be working more closely with countries upstream.
“The principles that we’ll be following in everything that we do is that it is workable, affordable and in line with international humanitarian law.
“But it is vital that we stop people from starting these journeys, we’ve seen far too many deaths in the Mediterranean as well as the Channel.
“So it’s incumbent on us to take an international approach to an international challenge, to stop more lives being lost at sea, not just from the Channel, but also in the Mediterranean.”
Amnesty International tears into Starmer’s meeting with Italian PM
11:29
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Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director, has said the government should be restoring the UK’s “battered reputation on refugee issues” not “doing deals to offload its responsibilities”.
He said: “There should be no question of the UK doing deals to offload its responsibilities onto other countries – not Albania, Rwanda or anywhere else.
“After the Conservative government’s shameful attempt at this, the last thing needed is yet another government pursuing schemes to avoid fulfilling the UK’s comparatively modest refugee obligations rather than showing some leadership and taking responsibility.
“The Government should be trying to restore the UK’s battered reputation on refugee issues by repairing an asylum system that’s been deliberately sabotaged by successive home secretaries stretching back years.
“We need safe asylum routes to help end the exploitative practices of people smugglers, and we need a fair and efficient system for processing people’s asylum claims however they arrive.”
Watch: Starmer ‘very worried’ about alleged Trump assassination attempt
11:14
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Watch live as Starmer meets Italy’s PM in Rome to discuss migrant crossings
10:59
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Starmer praises Italy’s reduction in irregular migration
10:53
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Italy’s “dramatic” reduction in irregular migrants travelling to the country looks to be the result of “upstream” work, Sir Keir Starmer said.
Asked how the UK could replicate Italy’s Albania deal, the Prime Minister told broadcasters in Rome: “I’m here to have discussions, here at this co-ordination centre and with the prime minister (Giorgia Meloni) about how we deal with unlawful migration.
“Here there’s been some quite dramatic reductions. So I want to understand how that came about.
“It looks as though that’s down to the upstream work that’s been done in some of the countries where people are coming from.”
He added: “I’ve long believed, by the way, that prevention and stopping people traveling in the first place is one of the best ways to deal with this particular issue.
“So I am very interested to know how that upstream work went, looking, of course, at other schemes, looking forward to my bilateral with the prime minister this afternoon, but we’ve already got a shared intent to work together on this trade, this vile trade, of pushing people across borders.”
Labour backbenchers criticise Starmer’s meeting with right-wing Italian PM
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Sir Keir has praised Italy’s success in reducing irregular migrants to and said he is “very interested” in the countries strategies.
However, this hasn’t gone down well with some left-wing MPs within his party.
Kim Johnson MP told the Guardian that Starmer’s attempts to learn from Italy’s immigration policies are “disturbing.” She added that “higher security and draconian deportation measures fail to dissuade desperate people from seeking asylum.”
A Labour minister has also casted doubts on the supposed implementation of a Italy-Albania style deal.
“At the end of the day, as long as there’s demand to come to the UK there will always be smugglers who provide it,” they told The Times.
Starmer ‘very worried’ over Trump assassination attempt
10:31
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Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very worried” about what he said looked like an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
The Republican presidential candidate was playing a round of golf at his club in Florida when a Secret Service agent had spotted the muzzle of a rifle sticking through a fence.
The PM told broadcasters in Rome: “I was very worried by the news about this attempt. Looks like an assassination attempt, very worried about it.”
He added: “Obviously, there’s now an investigation going on so I won’t say much more about the details, but I think it is really important that we’re all very, very clear that violence has no part to play at all in any political process.
“So, deeply troubled. Let the investigation take its place. But absolute clarity: violence, no place in political discussion at all, anywhere.”
Starmer responds to reports that he may have broken rules after donor ‘pays for his wife’s clothes’
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The Prime Minister said it is “really important that the rules are followed”, when asked about declarations of the clothes donated to him.
For context, Sir Keir may be facing an investigation for a potential rules breach after a controversial Labour donor paid for his wife’s clothes. (Read the full report from my colleague Archie Mitchell here)
Speaking to broadcasters in Rome, Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to “shed a bit of light on this”.
“It’s very important to me that the rules are followed. I’ve always said that. I said that before the election, I’ve reinforced it after the election.
“And that’s why, shortly after the election, my team reached out for advice on what declaration should be made so it’s in accordance with the rules.
“They then sought out for further advice more recently, as a result of which they made the relevant declarations.
“But for me it’s really important that the rules are followed. That’s why I was very pleased my team reached out proactively, not once but twice, because it is very important that we have transparency, very important that you and others can see the rules are being followed.”
Rishi Sunak’s relationship with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni
10:14
Jabed Ahmed
Keir Starmer’s predecessor Rishi Sunak had a close relationship with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, and they were regularly pictured laughing and joking together at meetings.
In one of his final international outings as PM, Mr Sunak headed to a G7 summit in Puglia, Italy, to announce new funding for Ukraine.
As he arrived, he was greeted with a warm embrace from Ms Meloni, and she appeared to ask him “Are you OK?”
Watch the video below:
Starmer meets chief of Italian border force
09:57
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Sir Keir Starmer was briefed on Italy’s operations to intercept small boat crossings as he visited the country’s national co-ordination centre for immigration.
Chief of the Italian Border Force at the centre, Claudio Galzerano, showed the Prime Minister and newly appointed border security commander Martin Hewitt live tracking technology used to monitor movements of the vessels at sea.
Watch: Trevor Phillips calls Labour 'a miserable bunch'
09:42
Jabed Ahmed
Ed Davey accuses Keir Starmer of ‘mistake’ over refusal to rejoin EU single market
09:22
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Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrat party, has said Keir Starmer made a mistake by ruling out Britain rejoining the EU single market.
Sir Keir has ruled out a return to the single market, which allows the free movement of goods, services, capital and people within the EU.
And the PM has gone as far as saying he does not think the UK will rejoin the single market in his lifetime.
Read the full report from The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell here.
Exclusive: Gen Z leads drive to reverse Brexit
09:14
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Italian deal with Albania is ‘very different’ to Tories Rwanda scheme, home secretary says
09:07
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Italy’s planned third-country processing deal with Albania is “very, very different” from the previous UK government’s Rwanda scheme, Yvette Cooper has said.
The Home Secretary told Good Morning Britain: “It’s very, very different. So the arrangement that they have in place – and look, it’s not working yet, so we don’t know how it will play out – but it is a very, very different approach.
“First of all, this is Italian processing taking place in Albania. It has UNHCR oversight, so it is being monitored to make sure that it meets international standards.
“It’s being done in cooperation between those two countries, and what they’re actually doing is looking at those people who arrive in Italy, who have come from predominantly safe countries, and they’re using it as a way to try and fast-track decisions and returns.
“Now we think there is another way we can fast-track decisions and returns for people who arrive from predominantly safer countries.
“We should be fast-tracking those cases. We should be making sure you don’t have people spending years in the asylum system, which ends up being hugely costly, hugely chaotic. That’s the system we’ve inherited.”
Pictured: Starmer meets Italian business leaders in Rome
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The government has a ‘moral imperative’ to stop small boat crossing, Cooper says
08:47
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The Home Secretary has said the Government has a “moral imperative” to reduce small boat crossings.
Responding to criticism of Italy’s migration policy, Yvette Cooper told BBC Breakfast: “We’ve always had a history of working with governments that have different political parties that are not aligned.
“That is a sensible thing for any government to do. We have to work with democratically elected governments, particularly those who are our nearest neighbours, and particularly those where we have shared challenges that we have to face.”
On potential violations of migrants’ human rights in Italy, Ms Cooper said: “I don’t think it’s immoral to go after the criminal gangs. Quite the opposite. I think it’s actually a moral imperative to make sure that we are pursuing the criminal gangs who are putting lives at risk.”
Government looking into Italian-style migration policies, home secretary says
08:41
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The Government is looking to Italian-style migration policies in a number of areas, including a deal with Albania and a “major returns” scheme, the Home Secretary has said.
Yvette Cooper said there are four different policies the Italians have which interest the UK government.
“The first is the work that they are doing around organised immigration crime,” she told BBC Breakfast.
“That’s the work that we are substantially gearing up, where we will be doing a huge technology upgrade as well, and where we want to work with Italy, with Germany, with other European countries, with France as well.
“The second thing they’re doing is they’re working with other countries upstream to prevent people leaving North Africa in the first place…working with Tunisia, we think we should be part of those international co-operations as well.
“The third thing they’re doing is major returns. So they’re speeding up returns for those who don’t have a right to be there. We’ve been doing that through the summer as well, so we’ve had a substantial increase in returns for people who don’t have a right to be in the UK, because the rules need to be respected and enforced.
“The fourth thing they’re doing is the Albania programme, but that hasn’t started yet, so we’ll need to see what that does. It’s very different from the Rwanda partnership that the UK government had, and we’ll have to see how that plays out.”
Starmer under fresh attack for ‘unbelievably foolish’ winter fuel payment cuts
08:32
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh criticism over his Government’s decision to cull winter fuel payments, with millions of pensioners set to lose out from Monday.
Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly said it was an “unbelievably foolish choice” while Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokeswoman Wendy Chamberlain said means-testing the payment worth up to £300 was a “historic mistake”.
Ms Chamberlain said: “This new Government is set to make a historic mistake today as millions of pensioners see their winter fuel payments cut.
“Scrapping winter fuel payments for most pensioners including many in poverty is completely wrong. It’s not too late for ministers to change course.
“Liberal Democrats will fight tooth and nail to reverse this cut. We’ll be using our record number of MPs in Parliament to hold the Government to account on this issue and fight for a fair deal for pensioners.”
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