Britain to pay Libya to stop migrants crossing the Med

BRITAIN is to pay Libya to stop migrants crossing the Mediterranean and instead repatriate them to their home countries under a pioneering deal with the North African state.

Announcing the agreement in an article for The Telegraph, Michael Tomlinson, the illegal immigration minister, said the scheme involving the voluntary returns was a “fundamental tool” in driving down migration numbers.

Libya is one of the main embarkation points for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean. Nearly 40,000 reached Europe last year from the country despite the dangers of the boat journey. They accounted for more than a quarter of the record 150,000 who crossed the Mediterranean in 2023.

Under the agreement, Mr Tomlinson said the UK will pay Libya £1 million to help fund the return of migrants from the north african state to their countries of origin. “These voluntary returns are one of the most fundamental and important tools at our disposal for driving down migration numbers globally,” he said.

“Tackling the global migration crisis and smashing the evil gangs who drive it are shared challenges that must be met with a shared response. The work I have seen first hand here in Libya and across north Africa is absolutely critical, but we know there is more that must be done.

“The funding and support we are providing will mean Libya is better equipped to stop people risking their lives to reach Europe. It also demonstrates our commitment to crack down on people smugglers operating not just in the English Channel, but across the whole world.”

Britain has signed “upstream” deals with other countries to target people smugglers. These include Turkey, the source of up to 90 per cent of the small boats that cross the Channel.