Downing Street is playing it close to the chest when it comes to revealing which countries it’s in talks with about hosting Britain’s unwanted asylum seekers.
After Albania unexpectedly said no to participating, No 10 has refused to spill the beans or get ahead of ongoing discussions.
The plan? To create overseas migrant return hubs—similar to the controversial Rwanda scheme—that would house failed asylum seekers outside the UK.
Albanian PM’s Surprise Rejection Throws Plans into Disarray
In a surprising twist, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the migrant return hubs idea during a visit to Tirana, Albania, aiming to build momentum.
But just an hour later, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama publicly rejected the plan, making it clear his country would not be involved.
This left Starmer visibly uncomfortable, especially since Albania had been highlighted as a potential partner in tackling illegal migration.
Mr Rama emphasized that Albania’s existing migration deal with Italy was a unique arrangement tied to their close relationship and geographic realities, and that expanding similar deals with other countries wasn’t on the table.
His firm stance added an awkward diplomatic hiccup for the UK government’s plan.
Labour’s Tougher Immigration Stance Fails to Boost Starmer’s Popularity
At the same time, Labour’s harder line on legal migration—part of its effort to win back Reform UK voters—isn’t doing Starmer any favors in the polls.
A recent YouGov survey showed his personal approval rating dropping five points in a month, hitting a record low of minus 46. Nigel Farage’s popularity, meanwhile, climbed 11 points following a recent by-election win and local election gains.
Perhaps most strikingly, Starmer’s support among last year’s Labour voters has plunged 34 points after his comments about Britons feeling like “strangers in their own land.”
Half of those who voted for him last year now view him unfavorably—a huge warning sign for the PM.
No Timeline Yet for Announcing Countries Involved in Return Hub Talks
When pressed about when the public might learn which countries have agreed to take part in the migrant return hub scheme, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman gave a cautious answer.
He said the government has laid out the purpose of the hubs: to deal with failed asylum seekers who exploit legal delays to avoid deportation.
However, he added, discussions with potential partner countries are still underway and it’s too soon to say when a list might be ready.
The government promises updates as talks progress but refuses to name any countries just yet.
Albania’s Role Highlighted as ‘Close Ally’ Despite Refusal
The spokesman defended the decision to announce the plan in Albania, calling the country one of Britain’s “closest allies” in fighting illegal migration, even though Albania won’t host any hubs.
The Prime Minister was in Tirana to strengthen a bilateral partnership on irregular migration, not to secure a deal for the migrant return hubs scheme.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson also downplayed the embarrassment of Albania’s public rejection, telling Times Radio the country was never expected to be a participant.
She declined to name other countries that might join the scheme but confirmed talks with several nations are ongoing.
Shadow Home Secretary Slams the Trip as an Embarrassment
Labour’s trip to Tirana hasn’t escaped criticism.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called the visit an “embarrassment,” pointing out that the Albanian PM’s outright refusal made Starmer’s visit pointless.
Philp accused Starmer’s government of bungling immigration policy, saying scrapping the Rwanda scheme early on was a big mistake.
With 2025 already the worst year on record for illegal Channel crossings, Philp said Starmer is now desperately patching together a “weak imitation” of the previous government’s plan.
He accused the Prime Minister of having never seriously cared about stopping illegal migration and being “in full panic mode” trying to cover up policy failures.
Other Potential Countries Still in the Mix
Despite the setback in Albania, officials insist talks continue with other Balkan nations like Serbia, Bosnia, and North Macedonia.
There are also efforts to explore agreements with several African countries, though Rwanda is reportedly not one of them this time around.
As the government navigates these delicate negotiations, the question remains: which countries will actually sign up to host these migrant return hubs, and when will the British public hear about it?