Recent criticism has focused on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s approach to addressing organized crime and managing migration flows, following the government’s unveiling of a new deportation strategy for failed asylum seekers. The plan centers around establishing “return hubs” in countries within the Balkans, funded through agreements with local governments.
A key element involves compensating nations like those in the region to accept individuals who have been unsuccessful in their appeals processes. According to a government representative, this endorsement from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) represents a valuable step towards streamlining the implementation of such a model.
However, the initiative has drawn considerable scrutiny. Commentator Lizzie Cundy, appearing on GB News, raised serious concerns about parallels between the proposed “hubs” and the previously abandoned Rwanda scheme. She stated: “How are these ‘hubs’ fundamentally different from Rwanda? The original plan was already in motion.”
Cundy vehemently argued that Starmer’s decision to scrap the Rwanda policy stemmed from personal motivations, asserting, “It seems extraordinary. So really it’s Starmer’s ego which cancelled Rwanda, and now he’s doing the same here – it just doesn’t make sense.” She added: “For him saying he’s smashing the gangs, he couldn’t smash the top of his Easter egg this Easter.”
Further questioning focused on the lack of concrete detail surrounding the plan. Cundy demanded a more substantial strategy, remarking: “As usual with Keir Starmer, where’s the detail? Where’s the strategy? Where’s the targets? He needs to stop acting like an out of work barrister and give us some detail.”
Her criticism extended to the government’s past investment in Rwanda, questioning the rationale behind abandoning that approach. “We ploughed millions into Rwanda. How is this really making sense? Why didn’t he continue with Rwanda? It was a deterrent,” she argued, citing rising Channel crossings as evidence of failure: “Look at the amount of boats that have come over – 705 crossed the Channel in one day, 2,000 this week. It’s 43 per cent up than it was this time last year. It’s pathetic.”
The UNHCR has offered cautious support for the concept, contingent upon ensuring compliance with its mandate to protect refugees. The agency released a document outlining the operational parameters of these return hubs while upholding international legal standards.
Despite this backing, ongoing challenges remain highlighted by recent reports: “Asylum seekers sleeping rough ‘seen throwing belongings in flowerbeds and urinating in public’ GB News viewer fears for her safety amid record number of migrant crossings: ‘Scared for my life!’
The Home Office confirmed that Secretary Yvette Cooper engaged in discussions with UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi regarding the “principle of returns hubs,” but insisted that inaccurate reports concerning financial arrangements and specific locations were circulating.
