UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pushing for a more “transactional” visa system, suggesting British visas could be tied to how cooperative other countries are in taking back failed asylum seekers. As Channel crossings soar past 16,000 this year, Starmer discussed the issue with leaders like Macron at the G7 summit, pushing for tougher return agreements and smarter border tactics.

Starmer’s approach follows Labour’s move to scrap the Rwanda deportation plan and invest in border security instead. But with small boat crossings rising 42% from last year, critics say Labour is losing control of illegal immigration and failing to “smash the gangs” as promised during the campaign.