Hundreds of migrants have to this point been returned to Albania beneath the federal government's "gold-standard" take care of the nation, says immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

That's regardless of greater than 12,000 Albanian individuals crossing the Channel on small boats final 12 months, in keeping with official figures.

Speaking to Sky's Sophy Ridge, Mr Jenrick initially stated "thousands" of unlawful migrants have been being returned to Albania, earlier than clarifying that "hundreds" had been positioned on the flights agreed in December final 12 months.

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He stated it was nonetheless "early days" and that "spurious last minute claims" had held up deportations - however admitted many others have been presently in inns or had absconded.

Mr Jenrick was requested "How many people who've arrived on small boats have been returned to Albania?" - to which he replied that "thousands of Albanians are returning to Albania".

He was then pushed by Sophy on whether or not this determine included criminals as effectively, moderately than simply those that arrived throughout the Channel.

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The Home Office minister clarified: "Well, there are hundreds of Albanians who've arrived who have been placed on those flights."

The authorities introduced in April that "over 1,000" Albanian nationals have been returned since December - however this included "failed asylum seekers, foreign national offenders and voluntary returns".

Mr Jenrick earlier described the deal as a "gold-standard" settlement which is seeing "thousands of Albanian illegal migrants returned home and the numbers crossing from that country significantly reducing".

In December final 12 months, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, agreed to "enhance cooperation" in three areas - "security issues and home affairs (with the main focus on the fight against organised crime and illegal immigration); economic growth and investment; innovation, youth and education".

This included establishing a "joint migration task force" between the 2 international locations to "manage illegal migration of Albanian citizens to the UK".

Mr Rama informed Sky News earlier this 12 months that Downing Street confirmed "important signs of regret and embarrassment" following the language utilized by ministers like Home Secretary Suella Braverman when it got here to migrants - after she spoke of an "invasion" of asylum seekers.

Mr Jenrick has additionally stated beforehand that Albanians ought to be "excluded" from the "right to claim asylum".

Mr Sunak has made "stop the boats" one in every of his 5 pledges to the British individuals this 12 months.

And Mr Jenrick claimed {that a} "landmark" deal agreed with France has seen a "big increase in the number of interceptions" of small boats - with 33,000 migrants prevented from crossing.