The UK's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged on Thursday to invest £84 million (or about $108.5 million) in Africa and the Middle East to stop illegal migration.
He also vowed that his government would "collaborate with European partners to exchange intelligence data and expertise, aiming to dismantle the smuggling networks."
"But to stop illegal migration, we must also tackle it at source. So today I'm announcing £84 million of new funding for projects across Africa and the Middle East. That includes humanitarian and health support, skills training, help with job opportunities, and access to education," the politician said.
The prime minister made these remarks at the fourth European Political Community summit, held in south-western England, which focused on issues such as migration, the conflict in Ukraine, and energy security.
Earlier in July, Starmer swiftly canceled the UK-Rwanda asylum deal on his first day in office, stating it was "doomed to failure" and not a deterrent to illegal migration. This deal involved the relocation of illegal immigrants from the UK to Rwanda in exchange for British funds.
Interestingly, after that, Rwanda's government declined to refund the $350 million it had received upfront under the agreement, adding that the funds had already been invested in developing infrastructure and increasing capacity to accommodate asylum seekers.