The UK is set to host a major international summit in London, bringing together representatives from 40 countries including the US, China, and France to address the growing crisis of illegal migration and people-smuggling networks. The two-day gathering, the first of its kind, aims to forge stronger cross-border cooperation to dismantle criminal operations profiting from human trafficking.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to warn against political divisions that allow smugglers to thrive, stating that the “vile trade” exploits gaps between nations. “This vile trade profits from our inability at the political level to come together,” he will say, drawing on his experience as former director of public prosecutions in tackling transnational crime.
The summit comes as small boat crossings to the UK hit record levels, with over 6,000 migrants arriving via the Channel in 2025 alone. The Home Office has announced an additional £33 million to disrupt smuggling networks and increase prosecutions. Delegates from key migrant origin countries—such as Vietnam, Albania, and Iraq will attend, alongside Interpol and major social media firms like Meta, X, and TikTok, which are seen as platforms used by traffickers.
With people-smuggling estimated to be a $10 billion (£7.7bn) global industry, the UK government hopes the summit will produce “concrete outcomes,” including intelligence-sharing agreements and coordinated enforcement actions. Starmer has positioned the event as part of his broader strategy to reduce irregular migration, ease pressure on public services, and “give hotels back to the local economy.”
Immigration remains a contentious political issue in the UK, with opposition parties accusing Labour of failing to control borders. The summit signals Starmer’s push for a unified global response, emphasizing that only international collaboration along smuggling routes can effectively combat the crisis.
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