Starmer Denies Labour Will Join EU Refugee Quota Scheme

The opposition leader accused the government of ‘pumping out complete garbage’ after ministers said he will let the UK become a ‘dumping ground’ for EU migrants

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking to the media during a visit to Shefford, England, on July 22, 2023. Jacob King/PA

The claim that Labour is planning to join the EU’s refugee quota scheme is “complete nonsense,” party leader Sir Keir Starmer said on Sunday.

It follows Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s accusation that Labour was planning to let the UK become a “dumping ground” for 100,000 migrants from the EU each year after Sir Keir told The Times of London a “quid pro quo” arrangement of migrant quotas “would be part of any discussions and negotiations with Europe.”