Overseas ‘return hubs’ will be used to house the migrants once they have exhausted all avenues of appeal in the UK.

Failed asylum seekers will be deported to the Balkans as part of a major U turn to curb illegal migration.

Overseas “return hubs” will be used to house the migrants once they have exhausted all avenues of appeal in the UK.

Despite deriding and scrapping the Tories Rwanda scheme, Sir Keir Starmer hopes the move will act as a “deterrant” for migrants who want to cross the Channel and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

The Prime Minister kicked off talks in Albania today.

Countries who could host such hubs include Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and North Macedonia. Any deal would require Britain to pay for each failed asylum seeker relocated. The prime minister has put a promise to “smash the gangs” at the heart of his attempts to reduce illegal migration.

It comes as small boat crossings continue to surge with almost 13,000 illegal migrants arriving in the UK this year.

The scheme would be similar to the one where Italy deports migrants to Albania for processing.

The European Union announced in March that it approved of member states pursuing return hubs and Starmer is said to be keen to collaborate with other European countries.

The Netherlands is in negotiations with the Ugandan government about opening a return hub.