Rishi Sunak expected to give a sobering update on his illegal migration policy trends now
Rishi Sunak came under increasing pressure over illegal migration across the Channel after it emerged that only 'hundreds' of Albanians have been returned home so far.
The Prime Minister is expected on Monday to give an underwhelming update on the success to date of plans to curb small boat crossings, which is one of his five top priorities.
It came as his Immigration Minister was forced to admit that the vast majority of Albanians arriving illegally had not been returned to their home country, with an unknown number said to have absconded from hotels.
Robert Jenrick confirmed that 'hundreds' of Albanians who arrived on small boats have been returned to their homeland since Britain signed a deal with the eastern European nation in December last year.
The latest figures suggest about 12,000 Albanians entered the UK via the Channel last year, up from around 800 in 2021.
Rishi Sunak came under increasing pressure over illegal migration across the English Channel after it emerged that only 'hundreds' of Albanians have been returned home so far
Pictured: A view of the scene outside the Comfort Inn hotel on Belgrave Road in Pimlico, central London, on Friday where the Home Office have reportedly asked a group of refugees to be accommodated four to a room
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith asked last night: 'What the hell is the hold-up?'
He added: 'Is the Civil Service simply failing to do what it is supposed to have done?
'We need to have a real reason as to why with a full agreement that people are lauding we haven't got into priority mode and literally kicked these people out.
'There needs to be a full explanation from the Home Office as to why this hasn't happened.'
Tory former minister Sir John Hayes added: 'The Home Office has done a good job in a deal with Albania, which has meant that the number coming here has fallen sharply. But clearly the ones that are here already, presumably encouraged by fat cat lawyers and dodgy interest groups, are gaming the system to avoid deportation.
'We need to take every step to deport them and any other illegal immigrant in this country.'
The Albania deal was cited by Mr Sunak as part of his plan to cut migration. But Mr Jenrick told Sky News's Sophy Ridge on
