Global issues require global solutions: UK Minister for Countering Illegal Migration

British Minister for Countering Illegal Migration Michael Tomlinson has said Bangladesh is a valued partner and it is fantastic that their ties with Bangladesh are being bolstered to promote regular migration and a range of other issues.

"Global issues require global solutions and I look forward to working with Bangladesh and other partners to create a fairer system for all," he said.

The British government has signed a new agreement with Bangladesh to speed up the removal of migrants with no right to be in the country.

"We have already seen clear evidence that these agreements have a significant impact on illegal migration," said the British Minister.

Speeding up removals is a vital part of our plan to stop people from coming or staying here illegally, he said.

At the first Joint Working Group on Home Affairs in London, both countries committed to strengthening their partnership and intensifying cooperation on economic, cultural and social issues.

Global issues require global solutions, says UK Minister for Countering Illegal Migration

The agreement will streamline the returns process by removing a mandatory interview for cases where there is good supporting evidence for removal.

Failed asylum seekers, foreign national offenders and individuals who have overstayed their visas will all be returned sooner as a result.

Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have held their first ever Joint Working Group meeting on Home Affairs at the British Home Office in London and signed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Returns recently.

The British Minister and Bangladesh High Commissioner in the UK Saida Muna Tasneem opened the JWG meeting on Thursday and witnessed the signing of the SOPs between the two countries.

The Joint Working Group committed to continue to facilitate legal migration through existing visa routes; tackle illegal migration with enhanced cooperation on visa abuse; strengthen data sharing and build capacity; develop each other’s understanding of respective approaches to tackling serious organised crime.