SIR Keir Starmer says he is hopeful of striking Rwanda-style deals with countries soon — as he lines up military barracks to house migrants.
The PM said he has instructed Government departments to go “further and faster” to get asylum seekers out of hotels and deport those with no right to stay.
Asked if a deal similar to the Rwanda plan, which Labour scrapped last year, was on the horizon, Sir Keir said: “I hope so.
“There’s no silver bullet, but we need to work with other countries to break the gangs in the first place.”
Talks with Balkan nations to host return hubs last week failed to secure a deal.
But it is understood discussions to find a country willing to take on processing of failed asylum seekers will continue.
Sir Keir also confirmed that asylum seekers would soon be moved into disused army barracks.
About 900 men will be put up at Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex.
Dozens more military sites are also being considered by the Home Office.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said costs “will vary site by site”, adding: “Our priorities are security and fairness.
“Military sites can provide proper security, health and wellbeing standards, and that is what we’re intent on delivering, instead of luxury sites, as we’ve seen over recent years.”
