How Brussels is plotting to 'LEGALISE' illegal migration just as Starmer plans to cosy up to EU

Speaking at a press briefing, Starmer said: "It's about a reset of our relations. I think for very many people, there was a sense after Brexit that the UK has become too inward-looking."

On migration, Starmer has set out an approach to tackling illegal migration by clamping down on the people-smuggling gangs behind the process.

Labour's manifesto says it will create a new Border Security Command including hundreds of specialist investigators, cross-border police officers and intelligence officers.

The government plans to use money saved by the scrapped Rwanda policy to "pursue, disrupt and arrest those responsible for the vile trade."

At the summit, he also announced 84 million pounds for Africa and the Middle East to address the root causes of illegal migration.

Following trips to Germany, Poland and Sweden, David Lammy said talks were "just the beginning" of Labour's efforts to rebuild the UK's relationship with the bloc.

He said: “Over centuries, our individual and national stories have come together to tell a wider story of shared progress. Today, we all share a commitment to democracy, human rights and international law.

“Tragic experiences in our continent’s shared past have helped us to understand how our shared security and prosperity depend on these shared values. And I believe these values also offer a foundation for closer partnership in the future.

“My visit this weekend is just the beginning. I look forward to seeing Britain reconnect with our European neighbours in the years ahead.”

As the Labour Government strengthen their ties with the EU, questions have risen about what European migration schemes the UK could be brought into.

Ben Habib, the former Co-Deputy Leader of Reform UK warned about Labour joining the EU's Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission scheme.

He said: "Starmer is going to sign us up to the EU’s resettlement programme for illegal migrants. This is Brussels’ answer to its own stupid open border policy.

"Instead of securing Europe, illegal migrants will be handed out in quotas to countries across the EU. Brussels is legalising illegal migration."

The resettlement scheme sees the "admission of non-EU nationals in need of international protection from a non-EU country to which they have been displaced to an EU country where they are granted protection," according to the European Commission.

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Under the 2024-2025 EU Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission scheme, 14 EU countries have pledged to resettle 61,000 people.

Back in 2015, the then Home Secretary Theresa May said that Britain would not participate in the resettlement scheme.

She argued that people should not be encouraged to make the perilous journeys to Europe which is "why the UK will not participate in a mandatory system of resettlement or relocation."

Speaking at the European Political Community summit last week, Starmer ruled out a returns deal with the EU.

He said: "As for a returns agreement, I've always said we're not going to be part of the EU scheme. That is for EU members. We're not an EU member. We've never wanted to or asked or sought to be part of that scheme and we're not going to be part of that scheme."