The Labour government is preparing to sign various Italian-style deals to stop illegal migration, including paying other countries to do more to stop small boat crossings.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper could pay millions to governments such as Turkey, Vietnam and the Kurdish region within Iraq for their “cooperation and security” before the end of the year, according to the Sunday Times.
Sir Keir Starmer is looking to follow the lead of right-wing Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, whom he met in Rome last month, the newspaper reports.
Under her leadership, Italy has seen a 62 per cent fall in arrivals over the first seven months of 2024 and deals struck with Tunisia and Libya are seen to have played a part.
Deals worth upwards of €100 million were made with both nations to bolster vessel patrols as well as support small companies and renewable energy.
Under the Italian model, there is an incentive for migrants to remain as well as greater protection to stop illegal crossings being made.
Sir Keir and Ms Cooper are under pressure to implement a strategy with around 33,000 Channel crossings being made already this year - more than the 29,437 seen in 2023.
The government has already stopped the Conservative model of putting migrants on flights to Rwanda.
The UK has previously struck a £500m deal with France to increase the number of small boat interceptions while it has also previously struck deals with the Turkish government.
Italy has, however, faced criticism that the model could force people into detention camps where they face torture.
After meeting Ms Meloni, Sir Keir said: “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.”
Ms Cooper has previously held talks with Kurdish officials and it is understood the government will pursue different approaches with the different nations it meets.
The Home Office could also step up social media advertising in Vietnam to try and deter people from making the crossing.
A spokesman offered: “This is an international challenge, that needs international cooperation. We have already made significant progress, with overall returns since this government came to office now at 9,400 - up almost 6,000 since the end of August.
“We continue to work upstream with partners from across the world to tackle these illegal people smuggling gangs. Our new Border Security Command is at the heart of this work, enhancing international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal networks.”
