The Kiel Star recently announced plans to send rejected asylum seekers to a third country, dubbed a “return hub,” during a visit to Albania, which has since confirmed it will not participate in the scheme.
The Prime Minister’s trip to Tirana aimed to affirm that once the UK has exhausted all appeal options, asylum claims would lead to deportations to foreign detention centers.
Albanian Prime Minister Eddie Rama’s comments during a press conference may overshadow this proposal, as he emphasized his refusal to enter such negotiations and mentioned his own attempts to establish a similar agreement with Italy.
Reports suggest Albania is one of the UK’s preferred options for this hub.
Conservative critics argue that the Prime Minister’s travel and policy announcements were less than effective, especially in light of Rama’s statements.
Shadow Home Secretary Crisfilp expressed dismay, stating, “This trip is embarrassing. The Albanian Prime Minister clearly rejected the idea of a UK return hub in Albania. What was the point of all this?”
British officials had aimed to set up a return hub in the western Balkans, with Albania previously considered a potential partner.
Starmer mentioned to GB News that formal negotiations have begun with other potential host countries, though he remained tight-lipped about which countries were involved.
“What we’re currently discussing is the idea of Return Hubs— a kind of processing point for those going through the UK system. They need a real path back,” he explained.
If established, this hub would manage asylum seekers who have lost their documentation or are perceived as trying to evade deportation.
While Downing Street confirmed the plans, specifics were sparse. An official spokesperson stated, “We are in formal discussions with our European partners about cooperation regarding the return hub, aimed at asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal avenues to remain in the UK, but we must also consider the implications for taxpayers.”
The spokesperson emphasized the importance of focusing on asylum seekers who are attempting to manipulate the system.
Despite difficulties in returning individuals to their home countries, the spokesperson noted that there were few legal barriers to transferring them to third countries for processing.
Rama reiterated that he would not pursue a deal with the UK, citing his commitment to Italy.
“We’re loyal to our relationship with Italy, and everything else is secondary.”
Italy currently operates two detention centers in Albania, having deported 40 people there amid numerous legal challenges.
A spokesperson dismissed claims that Rama’s statements were unexpected, stating that officials were aware Albania was uninterested in hosting the UK’s return hub.
When questioned about the appropriateness of making such an announcement in Albania, he replied that it was not suitable given that the country was not part of the plan.
Ember Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, urged that any return strategy from the government must be evidence-based, stressing that the most effective systems are orderly and humanitarian rather than punitive.
This week, the number of individuals crossing the Channel in small boats surpassed 12,000 for the year, marking 2025 as a record year for such crossings.
In March, the EU announced its approval for member states to explore a return hub approach, with the Netherlands currently negotiating similar possibilities with Uganda.
The UN Refugee Agency has also endorsed the concept of a return hub, particularly since it had previously intervened in the UK government’s Rwanda plan.
