The United Kingdom is hosting a two-day international summit aimed at tackling illegal migration, bringing together representatives from over 40 countries.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to call for greater global cooperation to dismantle criminal networks profiting from human smuggling.
The meeting, which begins on Monday at Lancaster House in London, is described as the first of its kind. Discussions will focus on disrupting the operations of smugglers and preventing countries from being pitted against each other over migration challenges.
Ahead of the summit, the Home Office announced a £33 million investment to crack down on people-smuggling networks and boost prosecutions. Officials from Vietnam, Albania, and Iraq—nations linked to significant migration flows into the UK—are among those attending.
Representatives from France, China, and the United States, as well as delegations from Interpol and social media giants such as Meta, X, and TikTok, will take part in discussions. The summit will address how criminal groups exploit digital platforms to coordinate their activities.
More than 6,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, marking a record start to 2025. The UK government hopes this summit will strengthen international efforts to curb these crossings and reduce strain on British public services.
Speaking at the event, Starmer will highlight his experience as director of public prosecutions, drawing parallels between disrupting organised crime and tackling illegal migration. He will argue that people-smuggling operations must be dismantled with the same urgency as counterterrorism efforts.
The UK has introduced a range of measures ahead of the summit. A £30 million fund will support the Border Security Command in targeting trafficking routes across Europe, Asia, and Africa. An additional £3 million will enhance the Crown Prosecution Service’s capacity to handle smuggling cases.
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Changes to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will expand right-to-work checks, covering gig economy workers. Businesses that fail to comply could face fines of up to £60,000 or legal penalties, including closures and prison sentences for directors.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has signalled a tougher stance on migrants who arrive on student or work visas and later claim asylum. The government is also reviewing how the right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights applies in migration cases.
As part of the UK’s international strategy, £1 million will be invested in efforts to dismantle smuggling operations in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Additionally, an advertising campaign has been launched on Vietnamese social media to warn against the dangers of human trafficking.
The summit highlights Britain’s determination to lead a global response to irregular migration. Starmer is expected to argue that only through cross-border cooperation can governments effectively tackle the $10 billion industry of people-smuggling.
Reported by BBC
