The United Kingdom has launched a formal negotiation over the creation of a migrant "return hub" in North Macedonia.
Under the proposed arrangement with officials in Skopje, Britain would make payments for each migrant accepted by the country, which has a population of approximately 1.8 million.
The UK is also offering investment in North Macedonia alongside security guarantees designed to counter Russian threats as part of any agreement.
Discussions between the two countries commenced earlier this autumn, with North Macedonia joining a small group of nations currently negotiating similar arrangements with Britain.
Sir Keir Starmer views the scheme as a potential deterrent against Channel crossings in small boats as the Prime Minister acknowledged in correspondence with President Emmanuel Macron last month that there is presently "no effective deterrent" in place.
Those deported to North Macedonia would not face detention or restrictions on their movement, leaving them free to depart the country if they chose.
Instead, migrants would be encouraged to seek asylum in North Macedonia or pursue work visas in industries experiencing significant labour shortages, such as construction.
A Home Office source told The Times: "We’re in negotiations with certain countries, but we are not building a migration plan that banks on return hubs alone. It must always be part of a wider package.
"We’re not looking for a silver bullet, because there isn’t one. That’s what the Tories did with Rwanda and it failed. We’re trying lots of things at once because that is how you solve a problem this big and complex."
Germany and Denmark are pursuing similar return hub arrangements, with the United Nations refugee agency indicating it would support such schemes provided they met human rights standards.
Unlike the now scrapped Rwanda scheme, migrants would only be removed to the return hub destination after they had been rejected for asylum in the UK and exhausted all avenues of appeal.
Under the Rwanda scheme migrants would have been removed within days of arriving in the UK without the opportunity for their asylum claim and other legal avenues to be considered.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told GB News: "The issue with this plan is that all the illegal immigrants who do get asylum are allowed to stay in the UK.
"All illegal immigrants should be immediately deported upon arrival without their asylum claims even being heard. To do that we need to pull out of the ECHR, which is the Conservative plan, but Labour is too weak to do that."
Research Director at the Centre for Migration Control Robert Bates told GB News: "Starmer has spent several months begging Balkan nations to accept failed asylum seekers and has been relatively unsuccessful so far.
"There is nothing to suggest that this proposed plan would be an adequate deterrent.
"Illegal migrants will still have the right to claim asylum in Britain and it is unlikely that the scheme will be comprehensive enough to deal with a large number of individuals."
WATCH: Kemi Badenoch blasts BBC for 'letting illegal migrants lecture British taxpayers'
Kemi Badenoch has blasted the BBC for providing a platform for "illegal migrants to lecture British taxpayers" during Question Time.
The public broadcaster has been bludgeoned with scathing criticism after it "invited multiple asylum seekers" to ask the panel of politicians questions.
On the panel was Dover & Deal MP and Migration Minister Mike Tapp, Tory MP for Bexhill & Battle Dr Kieran Mullan, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper, Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Reform UK's policy chief Zia Yusuf.
Reform UK council leader has party membership revoked over alleged racist posts
A Reform UK council leader has had his membership of the party revoked following an investigation into posts on social media.
Councillor Ian Cooper who was elected to the position in May, has been kicked out of Nigel Farage's party following claims he posted racist remarks on X.
In the posts, Councillor Cooper allegedly called London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, a "narcissistic Pakistani" and said migrants were "intent on colonising the UK, destroying all that has gone before".
Keir Starmer clarifies position on EU after David Lammy talks up customs union
Sir Keir Starmer has clarified Labour's position
|PA
Sir Keir Starmer was forced to clarify his position on joining an EU customs union after his deputy David Lammy praised how membership had boosted growth in other countries.
The Prime Minister was asked in relation to Mr Lammy’s comments why he was not advocating for membership given that growth is an ongoing priority for his Government.
He said Labour would be sticking to its manifesto, which pledged to deepen ties with the EU without returning to the customs union, single market or freedom of movement.
"Well, the position that we are taking has been clearly set out in the manifesto, and then we’ve been following it. Earlier this year, we had the first UK-EU summit ever, and we had 10 strands for a closer relationship.
"So we’ve totally reset relations with the EU. That’s good for our economy, good for defence and security, good for the work that we need to do on energy.
"We’ve transformed in 17 months in office, to a country that was looking disinterested in being on the world stage, to a country that’s now respected again, and where other countries are looking to us for influence, for advice, for partnerships."
Kemi Badenoch says Eurovision is 'no place for politics' after mass boycott over Israel vote
Kemi Badenoch said Eurovision was "not a place for politics" and suggested countries pulling out of the contest over Israel's participation should "move on."
Asked about the decision by nations like Ireland and Spain to withdraw, and whether "some of our neighbouring countries have a problem with antisemitism", the Tory leader said: "I am concerned about what’s happened with Eurovision, and personally, Eurovision is not a place for politics.
"I do watch it and what I’m seeing more and more politics get into entertainment that should be, you know, across the political divide, across the political spectrum.
"Israel fought a war because it was attacked two years ago, hundreds of people taken hostage, and it fought that war until it got its hostages home.
"I think that it’s time for a lot of these countries to move on. Let’s keep Eurovision about music, not politics."
Reform pulls off huge by-election win but Liberal Democrats snatch triple victory as Labour flounders
Reform and Liberal Democrats continue local sweep as Labour slump yet again | PA
Another busy week of by-elections has seen both the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK gain seats, while Labour and the Conservatives continued their torrid slump.
The Liberal Democrats boast two holds, along with a gain from the Conservatives, while Reform also managed to bag another seat.
Our reporter Ben McCaffrey has dissected the results for Friends of GB News.
WATCH: Miriam Cates clashes with pro-EU campaigner as he claims Brexit has been a 'disaster' for UK growth
Labour hit with ANOTHER defection in London as outgoing councillor blasts 'fascistic' Government
Labour has been hit with yet another defection in London as a Southwark councillor has joined Zack Polanski's Green Party.
Sam Foster, who represents the Faraday ward on Southwark Council, said he found "hope" in the Greens, telling Novara Media Labour was a "threat" to London residents.
He said: "Diverse migrant communities are at the heart of this area and the Government’s aping of far-right policy and rhetoric on migration directly threatens them as well."
Councillor Foster said: "The only authentic thing about the Government’s politics is its unpleasantness", adding Labour were pushing "a fascistic policy towards asylum seekers."
He has become the second member of Southwark council to defect to Zack Polanski’s party in the past month, following former local Labour chair and Rotherhithe councillor Kath Whittam.
Nigel Farage blasts BBC Question Time's 'absolute set up job' as he defends Zia Yusuf
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has branded BBC's Question Time a "discredited programme" as he tears into the broadcaster's "absolute set up job" on Zia Yusuf.
Delivering a defiant message in defence of Mr Yusuf, Mr Farage said: "The BBC sunk to new depths last night on their Question Time show, their flagship politics show for over four decades, where they had two audience members who had illegally come into Britain by boat.
"Both of those individuals should not even be in the United Kingdom, they've broken in illegally. They should have been deported.
"They've been given a platform on the BBC in an effort to get the great British public to sympathise with them, and frankly, with an earpiece and a phone.
"The whole thing was a complete, absolute set up job, and we're seeing this now more and more and more total absolute bias and prejudice from the BBC. And frankly, Question Time had been, over the years, a great programme. After last night, it is utterly discredited."
Rachel Reeves DODGES probe into breaking ministerial rules as PM's ethics adviser rejects Nigel Farage's demand
Rachel Reeves will not face an investigation from the Prime Minister's independent ethics adviser over alleged breaches of the ministerial code ahead of the Budget, GB News understands.
The Chancellor, who raised taxes by an eyewatering £26billion, was reported to Sir Magnus Laurie by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on November 30.
Mr Farage claimed the Chancellor pushed "a sustained and deliberate narrative" after it was reported the UK was facing a black hole of between £22billion and £40billion.
He cited Ms Reeves's remarks in the House of Commons in early November and pointed out that the Chancellor had not disclosed the Office for Budget Responsibility's positive headroom forecast to MPs or the public.
In his 968-word letter, Mr Farage wrote: “First, it has been widely reported that, weeks before the Budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility informed the Chancellor that, on unchanged policy, she was on course to meet her fiscal rules with headroom of at least £4billion, and never less than £1.5billion.
“Secondly, notwithstanding that information, the Chancellor conducted a sustained public and media campaign portraying the public finances as being in a state of collapse in order to prepare political ground for approximately £30billion of tax increases which, on the OBR’s own numbers, were discretionary policy choices rather than unavoidable fiscal necessity.”
In a direct plea to Sir Magnus, Mr Farage added: “I therefore ask you to advise the Prime Minister without delay that this matter meets the threshold for formal investigation under the Code, and that such an investigation should begin immediately.
"Given the gravity of the allegations and the public interest, I further request confirmation within seven days whether you intend to initiate an investigation under paragraph 2.6(b) of the Code or advise the Prime Minister to refer the matter to you.”
Keir Starmer faces electoral wipeout as Labour's support plummets to 14%
Support for Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party has fallen to just 14 per cent in a damning new opinion poll.
Sir Keir, who won a thumping landslide victory last summer on 34 per cent of the vote, is now in a distant fourth place, according to Find Out Now's latest survey.
Reform UK remains well out in front, with Nigel Farage hoovering up 31 per cent of the vote.
Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives trailed in second place on just 20 per cent, leaving Zack Polanski's Green Party in third on 18 per cent.
Such a scenario would hand Reform UK 400 seats and a majority of 150, polling aggregator Electoral Calculus has revealed.
Despite trailing the Tories, the Greens would become the official opposition on 58 seats.
The Liberal Democrats, who received just 11 per cent of the vote in the poll, would retain their third-party status on 48 seats.
Meanwhile, the Tories would fall behind the SNP on 39 seats and Labour would slump to just 25 seats.
Tyron Surman, the firm’s head of research, said it was the “lowest score we have ever had for Labour”.
He added: “People will point out that we have them lower than other pollsters… but worth remembering that every single pollster – not one exception out of roughly 20 pollsters – overstated Labour at the last election.”
Reform UK opens bank account after Nigel Farage debanking fiasco
Reform UK has confirmed it has opened a bank account just hours after it was revealed the right-wing party received a £9million donation.
Nigel Farage said: "This is a crucially important moment for Reform UK.
"Opening a bank account with one of the largest banks in Britain shows just how far we have come as a party and we look forward to a fruitful and positive partnership with Lloyds."
Labour MP admits 'UK is frankly s**t' for millions of Britons... but doesn't blame Keir Starmer
Josh Simons and Sir Keir Starmer
|PA/PARLIAMENT
A Labour MP has admitted the UK is "frankly s**t" for millions of British adults wanting to raise children.
Makerfield MP Josh Simons, who was appointed as a Cabinet Office Minister in Sir Keir Starmer's September reshuffle, claimed it is "impossible" to have children and save for a home.
In a social media post, the 32-year-old father-of-two said: "Birth rate is big problem for UK.
"Needs more attention. But why are we surprised? I can vouch (two kids under five and a third on the way) - impossible to have kids and save for a home.
"I’m an MP, got a PhD, etc. For many, kids and financial insecurity makes 20s, 30s and 40s, frankly, s**t."
PM plots stuffing allies in House of Lords - including failed ex-FM
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of planning to place 24 allies in the House of Lords.
Ex-Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething is among those slated to enter the upper chamber.
Mr Gething, who served as First Minister for just four months, was toppled after receiving a controversial £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign.
Top Tory finally apologises over Nazi jibe at Reform UK
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake has finally apologised after making a Nazi jibe about Reform UK.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Hollinrake said: "It's not something I do every day. But if people have taken offence by it, then of course.
"To offend any reasonable Reform voter and for many people, I can understand why they'd vote Reform because they've lost trust in other parties.
"We are trying to rebuild that trust under a strong leader but if people have taken offence I apologise for any offence I have given.
"But that's not spirit it was meant in and certainly many people who are currently planning or have voted for Reform in the past, I have respect for."
WATCH: Zia Yusuf tells illegal migrant Reform will 'absolutely' deport him in fiery Question Time debate
Zia Yusuf has doubled down on Reform policy to deport all illegal migrants during his appearance on Question Time, as an illegal migrant in the audience told Reform's Head of Policy that he is "fleeing war".
As host Fiona Bruce asked Mr Yusuf if he would deport people like the man in the audience, Mr Yusuf stated: "If you are in this country illegally, let me be crystal clear.
"If Nigel Farage is our next Prime Minister, and that's obviously what we're working to deliver, if you're in this country illegally, you will be deported back to the country from which you came."
'Viewers are sick and tired of this bias!' BBC fury as Question Time 'plants' small-boat migrants during immigration debate
Nigel Farage's Reform UK has raged at the BBC after it was revealed tonight's immigration special of Question Time had an audience which included asylum seekers who arrived in Britain via small boats.
Tonight's edition of the long-running debate show was based in Dover and was exclusively focused on the topic of migration.
On the panel was Dover and Deal MP and Migration Minister Mike Tapp, Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle Dr Kieran Mullan, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper, Green Party Leader Zack Polanski and Reform UK's Head of Policy Zia Yusuf.
Mr Yusuf, Reform's Head of Policy, said the BBC selected "multiple people" who made the dangerous journey across the English Channel , a statement confirmed by host Fiona Bruce.
He wrote on social media: "There were literally multiple people who arrived in this country illegally by boat asking questions on tonight’s Question Time Immigration Special!
"The BBC asked a question of an Iranian illegal migrant in the audience. His 'question' was him reading from his phone a list of reasons why Britain should *not* withdraw from the ECHR. He even mentioned the Northern Ireland Protocol! Incredible."
David Lammy opens door to rejoining EU after refusing to rule out Brexit betrayal seven times
David Lammy has opened the door to rejoining the EU customs union amid calls from within No10 to reverse Brexit.
On Thursday, Mr Lammy refused to rule out rejoining the EU seven times during an interview, where he also claimed that Brexit had “badly damaged our economy”.
While the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that a move to take Britain back into the customs union was not “currently” in Labour's agenda, he said that it was “self-evident” that other nations had “seen growth” by doing it.
Just a day prior, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Government should reverse "the economic damage done by Brexit".
'What's next? Tax evaders on Budget day?' Zia Yusuf rages at BBC after Question Time migrant stunt
Reform UK's Zia Yusuf has launched a scathing attack on the BBC after the public broadcaster invited multiple "asylum seekers" to sit in on Question Time’s immigration special.
The latest edition of the debate episode was filmed in Dover - ground zero of Britain's migrant crisis.
On the panel was Dover & Deal MP and Migration Minister Mike Tapp, Tory MP for Bexhill & Battle Dr Kieran Mullan, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper, Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Reform UK's policy chief Zia Yusuf.
Speaking to GB News after the show, Mr Yusuf said he "could not believe" what he was witnessing.
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