The United Kingdom (UK) government has stepped up its efforts to tackle illegal migration with new measures to strengthen border security and reform the asylum system.
These are part of a larger plan to manage immigration better and deal with the problems caused by illegal crossings and immigration crimes.
On 18 July, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to combat criminal gangs during the European Political Community summit.
By preventing illegal migration at its source, these proposals will ensure the security of UK borders and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will invest up to £84 million over three years in projects in Africa and the Middle East.
This funding will tackle the root causes of displacement, such as conflict, climate change, poverty, and other humanitarian emergencies.
Starmer also revealed plans to collaborate with the Global South and European partners to address illegal migration at its source.
This collaboration aims to create safer and more stable environments in migrants’ home countries, reducing the need for dangerous journeys.
He also revealed new agreement initiatives with Slovenia and Slovakia to tackle organized crime.
The agreements with Slovenia and Slovakia will enhance collaboration between law enforcement agencies.
They will help bolster UK security against cross-border terrorism, serious organized crime, and human trafficking.
“The summit has brought together our key European counterparts as part of a reset in relations,” said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in a news release.
Lammy added that the summit was “not only to tackle illegal immigration but other shared challenges” that Europe faced.
These challenges include the need for more security cooperation and continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Education and employment support to prevent migration
The UK wants to improve lives in home countries by providing education and job opportunities.
The British government will head new programs in Jordan and Lebanon to help Syrian refugees learn skills and find jobs.
This is part of a promise made at the UN’s Global Refugee Forum to ensure children can go to school. This will help reduce the risks of abuse.
The UK will support the Better Regional Migration Management programs in North and East Africa. This will help protect migrants’ rights and fill job gaps.
The government will also send humanitarian aid to people affected by conflicts, including Sudanese refugees in Chad, to help them remain in their region.
Additionally, the UK will increase the funding of global organizations that help countries host refugees and prepare for climate change and natural disasters.
They will also give up to £2 million to the International Organization for Migration in Libya to help migrants return home safely.
Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill
Alongside these new measures, the King’s Speech, delivered on 17 July 2025, introduced the new Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill.
The bill aims to update the UK’s immigration system with new tools and powers for law enforcement.
“My Government will seek to strengthen the border and make streets safer,” King Charles said in his speech.
He said the new bill will “modernize the asylum and immigration system.”
Reforming the asylum process will reduce the backlog of cases and speed up returns for people from safe countries.
It will also end the use of hotels for asylum seekers, saving the government a lot of money.
The goal is to make the system fairer and faster, protecting those who need it while discouraging illegal entry.
The bill will also establish the new Border Security Command (BSC), which Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has already announced.
The BSC will deliver “enhanced counter-terror powers to tackle organized immigration crime.”
They will have the power to stop and search people at the border who are suspected of immigration crimes.
There will be stricter penalties for those involved in human smuggling and related crimes.
This includes making it illegal to advertise smuggling services and supply materials for these operations.
These tools deter illegal entry and ensure a more efficient and controlled asylum process.
Processing UK asylum claims offshore
A primary goal of the new measures is to address the large backlog in the asylum system.
The government has faced criticism for long processing times and the use of hotels to house asylum seekers.
The BBC reported that the UK prime minister has not ruled out processing asylum claims offshore.
Starmer said “there’s interest” in how offshore asylum processing in Albania or Italy might work.
However, the UK Prime Minister said the discussion was more focused on bringing down the gangs in the first place.
“I’ve always said we’ll look at what works and where cases can be processed closer to origin,” said Starmer.
He added, “Then that is something which, of course, ought to be looked at.”
Ahead of the UK’s fight against illegal migration
The UK’s recent efforts to reduce illegal migration are a comprehensive attempt to strengthen border security and reform the asylum system.
The impact of these new measures on migration patterns, policy, and the treatment of asylum seekers will be crucial.
The government has promised to stay alert and adjust its strategies to handle the changing challenges of illegal migration.
The introduction of the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill is a significant step,
Still, a balanced approach is needed to ensure national security and human rights protection.