Marking his 100th day in Downing Street, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his government’s deal with Tirana is already proving effective in breaking the “ridiculous” cycle of Albanians using illegal means to enter the UK.
Amid growing pressure from within his own party to stamp out illegal immigration, the Prime Minister said he had taken action to protect the UK’s borders during his first 100 days in office.
He claimed that the deal his administration struck with Tirana last December is already being used to deport Albanians and that the numbers being returned to the Balkan nation would increase over the coming months.
In an interview with Talk TV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored, Mr Sunak said the deal signed with France last November has led to patrols on French beaches to be stepped up in a bid to clamp down on people attempting to cross the Channel illegally.
“Secondly, I’ve got a brand new deal with Albania,” he said.
“Albania accounted for 30 per cent of all illegal migrants [in 2022]. Of course, that’s ridiculous.”
While Albania is deemed a safe country, thousands of people who arrive in the UK from there attempt to claim asylum, citing modern slavery.
Mr Sunak said the agreement has opened the door for a new system whereby Albanians who cross the Channel in small boats will be swiftly sent back to their homeland.
“That is already happening,” he added. “We’re putting migrants from Albania on flights and that will ratchet up over the year.”
But he said tough new laws are needed to enable the UK to stamp out the practice of illegal immigration.
His vision, he said, is for a new immigration system to be established in which anyone who arrives on UK shores via illegal means will have their claims of asylum processed within days or weeks, rather than months or years.
If their bid to remain in the UK fails, they will be deported back to their place or origin or another country.
“And if we do that, that’s how we will break the cycle,” he said.
He also said his administration planned to push ahead with the controversial plan to send illegal migrants to Rwanda to have their claims processed.
Rishi Sunak's first 100 days as Prime Minister - in pictures
-
Rishi Sunak has been British Prime Minister for 100 days. Here The National looks back at his time in No 10 Downing Street. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak after being announced as winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest on October 24. Getty Images -
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak to Buckingham Palace where he invited him to become Prime Minister and form a new government. Getty Images -
The new Prime Minister makes a speech outside No 10. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak arrives at No 10 for the first time as Prime Minister. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak holds his first cabinet meeting. Getty Images -
Hosting a reception to celebrate Diwali at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
A visit to Croydon University Hospital, south London. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty wearing poppies, with a special poppy collar for their pet Labrador Nova. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
The Prime Minister with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Cabinet Room at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
King Charles, Mr Sunak, fashion designer Stella McCartney and US climate envoy John Kerry at Buckingham Palace before Cop27. Getty Images -
French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak during a call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his office. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street -
On Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak with journalists on a flight to Bali and the G20 meeting. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
With Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the G20 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak with US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak meets rescue teams during his visit to Ukraine. Photo: No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak and his wife outside No 10 as the Christmas lights are turned on. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak joins youth footballers from Wales and England to watch the World Cup match between the two nations. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
The Prime Minister reading congratulations cards from members of the public after being appointed. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street -
On a visit to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire after the announcement that Britain will develop next-generation fighter jets with Italy and Japan. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on a plane to Tallinn. Getty Images -
The Prime Minister with troops at the Tapa military base, Estonia. Getty Images -
The photo on Mr Sunak's official Christmas card. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street -
Mr Sunak prepares and serves breakfast on a visit to The Passage homeless shelter in London just before Christmas. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street -
Making his first major domestic speech of the year. Getty Images -
On a visit to Harris Academy in Battersea, London. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive at the Tower of London for a meeting. Getty Images -
Toasting marshmallows on a visit to the Sea Scouts community group in Muirtown near Inverness. Getty Images -
A Q&A session at The Platform in Morecambe, Lancashire, after a community visit to the Eden Project North. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt at Accrington Market Hall with local MP Sara Britcliffe to announce projects under the levelling-up fund. Getty Images
