Latest news with #migrantdeal
RNZ News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Europe: Srebrencia remembered, UK-France migrant deal examined
politics world 36 minutes ago Foreign correspondent Seamus Kearney talks about commemorations in Bosnia-Herzegovina to mark 30 years since the Srebrenica massacre, the worst atrocity in Europe since WWII. The European Commission is seeking more information about a controversial migrant deal struck between the UK and France. And EU officials have been taken by surprise over US President Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs on EU goods.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
UK politics live: Starmer to face PMQs as migrant crisis deal with Macron still hangs in the balance
Sir Keir Starmer is set to face tough questions in the Commons shortly as his key migrant deal with France still hangs in the balance. The prime minister is expected to face PMQs on the second day of Emmanuel Macron 's state visit to the UK. Sir Keir and the French president are expected to hold crunch talks at No 10 today, as the UK pushes France to do more to stop migrant crossings. The Prime Minister hopes to strike a 'one in, one out' deal to send small boat migrants back to the continent, in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers in Europe who have a British link. Their spouses, Brigitte Macron and Lady Victoria Starmer, will have tea and a tour of Downing Street together, followed by all four having lunch. Alongside Downing Street talks, Sir Keir and Mr Macron are also expected to attend a reception with UK and French businesses and an event at the British Museum on Wednesday. King shows Macron Windsor Castle Gardens Wednesday marks the second day of Emmanuel Macron's state visit. The French president began his morning with a private visit to St George's Chapel in Windsor - where he is being hosted by the King - to lay flowers on the Tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. He was then pictured being shown around the Windsor Castle Gardens with Charles. Later, Mr Macron will visit Imperial College London before meeting Starmer at No 10 to hold talks on migrant crossings. Athena Stavrou9 July 2025 11:00 Starmer to face PMQs Sir Keir Starmer is still expected to face his weekly questions in the Commons today. The prime minister has been busy hosting the French president this week, who is in the UK for a state visit. But Starmer will take time out of his busy schedule to face the opposition at midday. We will bring you the latest updates here. Athena Stavrou Wes Streeting warns doctors 'the public will not forgive you' as NHS strike chaos looms Wes Streeting has warned doctors that 'the public will not forgive you' as the NHS faces months of strike chaos. The health secretary said that a pay rise is not an option after doctors in England voted in favour of industrial action, which could see walkouts last until January next year. He also accused them of 'squandering an opportunity by striking' instead of working with him to improve working conditions, warning: 'You will not find another health and social care secretary as sympathetic to resident doctors as me'. NHS set for months of strike chaos after doctors vote to walk out over 29% pay demand The NHS would face major disruption over strikes, threatening to put Sir Keir Starmer's plans for the health service at risk Alexander Butler9 July 2025 10:27 Farage's support has 'topped out', pollster claims as Starmer told to stop obsessing about Reform Farage's support has 'topped out', claims pollster as support for Reform dips Analysis by respected pollster Robert Hayward is based on Reform's support in the polls dropping as well as its membership, and the party suffering two embarrassing by-election defeats last week Alexander Butler9 July 2025 10:17 Watch: Macron receives royal welcome to UK from Prince and Princess of Wales Alexander Butler9 July 2025 10:08 Analysis: Will Macron help Starmer to tackle the small boats issue? The prime minister shouldn't get his hopes up Will Macron help Starmer to stop small boats crossing the Channel? Starmer, like his predecessors, has struggled to tackle the issue of small boat crossings, but the prime minister is unlikely to get the help he needs from Emmanuel Macron to stop them, says David Maddox Alexander Butler9 July 2025 09:55 Watch: Applause as Macron says Europe won't abandon Ukraine Alexander Butler9 July 2025 09:22 UK working to reduce 'pull factors' of migration, says minister Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the Government was already working to reduce the "pull factors" attracting migrants to risk the English Channel crossing to reach the UK. He also welcomed the French authorities' tougher action on the Channel beaches. In response to concerns about "pull factors" he told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "That is why this Government is cracking down on illegal working and why there have been over 7,000 arrests in that space." Work in countries that migrants travel through on the way to the Channel coast was also important, he added. After footage emerged of French police slashing the boats used by migrants, Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "We do welcome that action taken in shallow waters." He said "we have to evolve our law enforcement capacity" in response to changing tactics from people smugglers. Alexander Butler9 July 2025 09:12 Starmer and Macron to hold Downing Street talks amid push for French help on small boats Starmer and Macron to hold Downing Street talks amid push small boats deal The prime minister is facing a fight to salvage his much-vaunted 'one in, one out' deal with France to return illegal migrants Alexander Butler9 July 2025 09:00 France denies that Macron blames Starmer for migrant crisis France has denied reports that Emmanuel Macron blamed Sir Keir Starmer for the migrant crisis ahead of crunch talks at No10 this morning. Mr Macron expected measures 'addressing the root causes of the factors that attract people to the United Kingdom', according to The Daily Telegraph. The Elysee denied the report, saying: "The French president looks forward to working with the Prime Minister constructively on this shared priority." Sir Keir hopes to strike a "one in, one out" deal to send small boat migrants back to the continent, in exchange for the UK accepting asylum seekers in Europe who have a British link. Alexander Butler9 July 2025 08:42
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Starmer's ‘one in, one out' migrant deal could be close to collapse
Sir Keir Starmer is facing a fight to salvage his migrant deal with France, aimed at curbing illegal Channel crossings, ahead of President Emmanuel Macron 's three-day state visit. The 'one in, one out' agreement, intended as a centrepiece of the visit, has stalled due to opposition from other EU countries concerned about asylum seekers being returned to their shores. Downing Street maintains the deal is not defunct but admits the situation is 'complex', as Britain is set to record a new high in illegal crossings. Migration, including discussions on 'returns hubs' and new tactics by French border police, will be a primary focus of talks between Sir Keir and President Macron. Sir Keir is under significant pressure to address the increasing number of small boat crossings, with record figures reported for the first six months of 2025.
Telegraph
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
New blow for Starmer as welfare rebels fix sights on migrant deal
Sir Keir Starmer is facing a fresh wave of dissent from Labour backbenchers over his deal with France to stop small boat crossings. Under the 'one in, one out' scheme, Britain would send migrants coming in from the Channel back to France within weeks of their arrival in return for the UK taking asylum seekers from France. Details of the plan are expected to be set out during a state visit by Emmanuel Macron, the French president, to London this week. But restless backbenchers who recently rebelled against Sir Keir's welfare plans have threatened to revolt again over his proposed migrant deal. Clive Lewis MP told The Telegraph: 'Last week felt like it was the starting gun on more Labour MPs beginning to seriously question the Government. You can't help but think its judgment will now be called into question far more frequently.' Mr Lewis continued: 'On immigration and asylum, why don't we have safe routes? There's no safe routes; if you want to stop the boats, establish safe routes. 'Labour should have a practical, humane policy. But any sense of a logical process that is based on human rights, basically what a Labour Government would traditionally be expected to do, is now out of the window. 'Tony Benn was right – if you want to know what your government would do to you if they could get away with it, look at how they treat asylum seekers. That's what you saw this week with disabled people and you're seeing it again with this.' Another Labour MP added that the proposed deal 'could be illegal under international law'. Relations between Downing Street and the parliamentary Labour party have broken down in recent weeks as the Government's approach on issues such as welfare has clashed with the Left-wing values of many Labour MPs. No 10 and the Prime Minister himself have also been criticised for a perceived lack of engagement with MPs and an allegedly haughty attitude towards the back benches. Labour 'moving Right' One senior Labour MP and former minister said: 'I am very concerned by the proposal. It's a bit like the debate we had last week about welfare and disability payments. It just doesn't really seem like a Labour thing to do. 'My view is that we should have more safe routes. But there are a number of my colleagues, particularly those in Red Wall seats, that think being seen to be more conservative on immigration will help them win again next time. 'I know that Morgan McSweeney has been a strong voice for moving Right on immigration. Many of us disagree with this approach.' Another senior MP added: 'A lot of people across the country are agitated about the small boats but there is no easy solution. But they're on the wrong track. 'What happened to smashing the gangs? Human traffickers are the scum of the earth and the idea was to get them but we don't seem to be doing too well on that front. I'm not convinced by this, it sounds like another gimmick that is doomed to fail.' One MP suggested any revolt over the scheme could be as big as this week's rebellion over disability benefits. Some 49 rebels voted against the Government's Bill on welfare reform despite a series of concessions from No 10. At one point the rebellion included as many as 120 MPs, enough to wipe out Sir Keir's landslide majority. France has previously resisted moves for a returns agreement with Britain since the Dublin returns agreement was scrapped under Brexit, and has argued that any new agreement would have to be EU-wide. However, France opened the door to taking back Channel migrants for the first time after Bruno Retailleau, the country's interior minister, said that it would 'send a clear message' to other migrants planning to make the perilous journey. The summit between Mr Macron and Sir Keir is set to take place from 8-10 July in the wake of Labour's first anniversary of being in Government.
