Migration LIVE: Keir Starmer in Albania for urgent talks ahead of possible huge deal

Keir Starmer will attempt to revive his failing attempts to crack down on illegal migration today as small cross crossings continue to surge.

The Prime Minister is hoping to beef up efforts with Albania to tackle people smuggling gangs during a visit to the country.

UK officials have drawn up plans to send arrivals to the Balkan state.

Sir Keir and his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama are expected to agree measures to clamp down on the vile trade.

But his visit comes in the same week that the number of people crossing the Channel in passed 12,000 for the year.

Labour was elected on a manifesto promise to "smash the gangs" smuggling people into the UK in small boats, but some 12,699 people have made the journey so far this year, putting 2025 on course to be a record year for crossings.