Keir Starmer will announce a ‘new era’ in the UK’s relations with Iraq as he seeks a migrant returns deal.
The PM will host Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani at No10, where the two nations will announce a new £12.3billion trade deal. Mr Starmer will also seek an agreement to send failed asylum seekers back to the Middle East nation, 14 years after the end of the Second Gulf War.
He said this would be a hammer blow to people smugglers. The crunch meeting comes less than two months after the two countries agreed a new security pact aimed at stopping people leaving Iraq bound for the UK. Mr Starmer said: “The deal will help dismantle the people smugglers’ business model by sending the clear message that if you come here illegally, you cannot expect to stay.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the security deal, announced in November, is already reaping rewards. She said better intelligence sharing and additional support policing Iraq’s borders is “targeting people smuggling gangs where it hurts”.
Ahead of the leaders’ meeting she said: “Today is the next step in ensuring this important partnership with Iraq goes from strength to strength.”
The Government says a new export package will be a boost for British businesses.
Mr Starmer branded it a “step-change in the trade and investment relationship between our two countries”. He and Mr Al Sudani will sign a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to secure investment projects for British business.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “This yet another vote of confidence in Britain. As an open, proud trading nation our trade strategy will build upon deals like this to strengthen our economy.”