Keir Starmer to hold major meeting with German Chancellor in UK

Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are set to outline plans to help smash vile people smuggling gangs.

The Prime Minister will welcome Berlin's plans to criminalise facilitating illegal migration to the UK by the end of the year.

It will give officials powers to take action against warehouses "used by smugglers to conceal dangerous small boats intended for illegal crossings to the UK", No10 said.

It comes as Mr Starmer welcomes Mr Merz to Downing Street on Thursday on his first official visit to the UK since becoming German Chancellor in May.

The duo will also sign a deal to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Mr Starmer said ahead of the visit: “The Treaty we will sign today, the first of its kind, will bring the UK and Germany closer than ever.

"It not only marks the progress we have already made and the history we share. It is the foundation on which we go further to tackle shared problems and invest in shared strengths.

“Chancellor Merz’s commitment to make necessary changes to German law to disrupt the supply lines of the dangerous vessels which carry illegal migrants across the Channel is hugely welcome.

"As the closest of allies, we will continue to work closely together to deliver on the priorities that Brits and Germans share.”

The PM has been seeking to strengthen ties with EU countries, including to bring down small boat crossings, and last week secured a migrant return agreement with France.

The UK and Germany, two of the biggest providers of support to Ukraine, signed a defence pact last year with the aim of closer cooperation in the face of a growing threat from Russia.

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