Speaking in Albania, Sir Keir Starmer praised joint efforts to cut small boat crossings, calling secure borders "central" to his plan for change.
He said cooperation with Albania had led to a "significant" drop in crossings and stressed the success of their joint migration task force and prisoner return deal.
Report by Covellm.
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Sir Keir Starmer meets Albanian counterpart Edi Rama in Tirana ahead of Friday’s European Political Community summit. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The UK is in talks with "a number of countries" about sending illegal immigrants to return hubs in third countries, Sir Keir Starmer has said. Sky News
Sir Keir Starmer met Albanian president Bajram Begaj in Tirana ahead of Friday’s European Political Community summit. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
During a visit to Albania, the prime minister says he is "determined" to retake control of the UK’s borders, blaming the previous government for losing control. Sir Keir Starmer called small boat crossings "totally unacceptable" and praised joint efforts with Albania to tackle people-smuggling gangs, vowing to build on that cooperation to "clear up the mess." Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Keir Starmer is in Albania to announce an expanded crackdown on migrant smuggling gangs in the Balkans - a key staging post on the route to Britain. Sky News
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride welcomed the UK’s 0.7% growth but warned it’s "no time to pop champagne corks." He pointed to signs of a slowdown in March and rising pressures on businesses from tax and regulatory changes. Stride said wider forecasts still predict weaker growth ahead, warning the economy faces "stress and strain" despite this short-term boost. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The UK economy grew by 0.7% in the first three months of 2025, the fastest quarterly rise in a year, according to the ONS. Chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed the boost, pointing to growth across services, manufacturing, investment and exports. She credited government efforts to restore stability, helping cut interest rates and secure new trade deals. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
![Starmer meets Albanian prime minister in Tirana [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250515/1410857652-Starmer-meets-Albanian-prime-minister-in-Tirana.jpg)
![Starmer meets Albanian president in Tirana [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250515/1410856038-Starmer-meets-Albanian-president-in-Tirana.jpg)
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