The government has signed a new agreement with Bangladesh to
speed up the removal of migrants with no right to be in the
country.
At the first Joint Working Group on Home Affairs in London this
week, both countries committed to strengthening their partnership
and intensify cooperation on economic, cultural and social
issues.
The returns agreement will streamline the returns process by
removing a mandatory interview for cases where there is good
supporting evidence for removal.
Failed asylum seekers, foreign national offenders, and
individuals who have overstayed their visas will all be returned
sooner as a result.
Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, MP said:
“Speeding up removals is a vital part of our plan to stop people
coming or staying here illegally. Bangladesh is a valued partner
and it is fantastic that we are bolstering our ties with them on
this and a range of other issues.
“We have already seen clear evidence that these agreements have a
significant impact on illegal migration. Global issues require
global solutions and I look forward to working with Bangladesh
and other partners to create a fairer system for all.”
The Joint Working Group also committed to:
· Continue to
facilitate legal migration through existing visa
routes.
· Tackle illegal
migration with enhanced cooperation on visa abuse, strengthening
data sharing and building capacity.
· Develop each other's
understanding of our respective approaches to tackling Serious
Organised Crime.
The working group builds on the recent meeting between Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the UK's Minister for the Indo
Pacific in Dhaka. Prime
Minister Hasina emphasised that Bangladesh has a zero tolerance
approach to illegal migration, whilst Minister Trevelyan thanked
Prime Minister Hasina for her support in agreeing the new returns
agreement.
Last year 26,000 people who had no right to be in the UK were
returned to their home countries, 74% more than in 2022. A deal
signed with the Government of Albania to expedite returns reduced
the number of small boat arrivals from Albania by over 90%.
A nationwide increase in Home Office activity to tackle illegal
migration saw enforcement visits rise by 68% last year and
arrests more than double. Detentions have commenced ahead of the
first flights to Rwanda in 8 to 10 weeks. The government's Rwanda
plan will deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous journeys
across the Channel and ensure those who come to the UK illegally
cannot stay.
Notes to
editors
· In 2023, we removed
nearly 4000 Foreign National Offenders, an increase of 27% in
comparison to the previous year.
· Through both our
Nationality and Borders Act and the Illegal Migration Act, we are
also ensuring they cannot frustrate the removal process.
· The government only
returns those with no legal right to remain in the UK.
Individuals are only returned to their country of origin when the
Home Office and, where applicable, the courts deem it is safe to
do so.
· In April this year
the UK agreed closer cooperation on illegal migration with
Vietnam: UK signs new agreement with
Vietnam on illegal migration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
· More information on
the UK Albania deal: UK and Albania pledge rapid
removal of those entering the UK illegally - GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk)
· Photos from today's
event will be available on the Home Office Flickr page in due
course -https://www.flickr.com/photos/ukhomeoffice
