𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Morning!

Prime Minister’s Questions isn’t the only thing in Sir Keir Starmer’s diary today.

He will also will host Western Balkans leaders for a summit in London as the UK seeks to agree further measures to bring down the number of migrants arriving illegally.

Some 22,000 people were smuggled by gangs last year along routes through the region, which has become increasingly important to tackling illegal migration across Europe.

The UK is already working with partners in the region – comprised of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo – as part of Labour’s pledge to target smuggling gangs and bring down the number of small boat arrivals across the Channel.

The Prime Minister confirmed earlier this year that he had spoken to countries about the possibility of hosting so-called return hubs where the UK could send failed asylum seekers before they are deported.