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The prime minister has met Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Austria to discuss illegal migration and to promote the use third-country schemes to deport asylum seekers.
In a media briefing today, Mr Nehammer described the UK as a pioneer suggesting the Rwanda plan could also be implemented in his country.
Rishi Sunak confirmed he could attempt to convince other European countries to adopt the controversial model, just days after a Belfast court ruled it could not be applied in Northern Ireland.
Michael Gove will today deliver a hard-hitting speech warning the country is “descending into darkness” following a rise in antisemitism.
The communities secretary is set to speak in London amid concerns over a 147 per cent increase in antisemitic incidents since 2022.
He will also accuse organisers of pro-Palestinian marches of not doing enough to stop some demonstrators spreading anti-Jewish messages.
Organising groups have previously said the marches, which have drawn crowds of thousands in calling for an end to the war in Gaza, are overwhelmingly peaceful with a low arrest rate.
Two-thirds of the 4,103 anti-Jewish hate incidents occurred on or after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza.
‘We will bring others with us’ to join the Rwanda plan, PM says
Praising the Austria-UK cooperation, he says: “Austria is an important friend to the United Kingdom.
And the UK has now “taken steps to deepen that relationship even further,” he adds.
The PM says: “Illegal migration is one of the defining issues of our time.
“People are losing their lives as they are exploited by criminal gangs.”
Referring to his Rwanda plan, he says: “Business as usual won’t solve this problem, we have to think creatively.
“We agree that is the approach required, bold…Bringing others along to the journey with us.”
Rishi Sunak is speaking now from Vienna
Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer says the UK is a pioneer in deporting asylum seekers to third countries.
Mr Nehammer says: “Tackling illegal migration is something that affect us here in the European Union,” but also in the UK.
He says the UK plays a key role in making that happen, after the PM launched a pioneering schemeato send asylum seekers to third countries.
Rishi Sunak ready to speak from Austria
The prime minister is set to appear alongside Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer from Vienna in a few minutes.
You can follow his live speech below:
Exclusive: Antisemitic hate crimes in London treble in year, data shows
Ahead of Michael Gove’s speech this morning, new figures obtained by The Independent show antisemitic hate crimes have risen in London in the last year.
Freedom of information data also showed that hate crimes flagged as Islamophobic rose by 49 per cent in the same period, from 940 to 1,405.
Reports of antisemitic behaviour dramatically increased after the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October, according to Jewish security organisation The Community Security Trust (CST), which recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023, a 147 per cent rise on the 1,662 incidents in 2022.
MPs urge South West Water to deliver compensation customers deserve
SWW has increased compensation to £215 for customers in recent days after reports emerged residents are still boiling water.
The advice came after water supplies across Devon were contamination by cryptosporidium – a waterborne disease which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall, whose Totnes constituency covers Brixham, has said customers should get a level of compensation they “deserve” following the outbreak.
According to the Government, 16,000 households and businesses in Brixham, supplied by SWW, were urged last week not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first.
Two people have been taken to hospital as a result of the outbreak.
Contaminated water scandal: South West Water confirms £3.5m compensation
South West Water bosses have revealed a payout worth £3.5million to customers affected by the parasite outbreak in Devon.
Pennon boss Susan Davy said: “We are 100% focused on returning a safe water supply to the people and businesses in and around Brixham.”
She also confirmed normal service has returned for most customers. She added: “Our absolute priority continues to be the health and safety of our customers, and our operational teams are working tirelessly around the clock to deliver this.”
Pictured: Rishi Sunak at the Federal Chancellery Ballhausplatz
Gove to speak to the Jewish community in London
The government has expressed huge concerns after a 147 per cent increase in antisemitic incidents since 2022.
The number has risen from 1,662 in 2022 to 2,699 incidents in the UK during the period on or after 7 October 2023 – the day when Hamas terrorists slaughtered and kidnapped hundreds of Jews in Israel.
Mr Gove’s hard-hitting speech comes on the same day as Lord Walney publishes a landmark report on political violence and disruption.
And ahead of the publication of the government’s Counter Extremism Action Plan in the coming weeks.
Rishi Sunak and Austrian chancellor last night discussed, dogs?
In their initial meeting last night, Karl Nehammer’s Bavarian mountain hound sat in the chair used by Rishi Sunak the day before.
Mr Nehammer posted a cheeky picture on Instagram featuring his dog Fanny in his office.
“For what occasion is Fanny rehearsing here?” the translated caption read, accompanied by a Union Jack emoji.
Mr Nehammer also wrote about the need for “asylum procedures outside the EU” to address migration pressures faced by the continent, adding: “For me it is clear: Europe needs a completely new asylum system.”
Good morning and welcome back to the Indy Politics Blog
Here’s the stories to keep an eye on this morning:
- Prime minister Rishi Sunak is in Vienna today to meet Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer to discuss illegal migration.
- Housing Secretary Michael Gove will slam organisers for pro-Palestinian marches and condemn rise in antisemitism.
Elsewhere…
- Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is set to give briefing on UK economy at the International Monetary Fund.
- Angela Rayner to deliver keynote speech at the UKs Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum outlining Labour’s plans for New Towns.
Source: independent.co.uk
