Summary
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will host representatives from the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in London to discuss strategies for combating people-smuggling. The meeting is Mahmood's first major event as home secretary and occurs amidst a significant increase in people arriving in the UK by small boats. The discussions will also cover strategies to address online child sexual abuse and the spread of dangerous synthetic drugs.
Key Facts
- Shabana Mahmood, the UK's Home Secretary, will meet officials from the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- The meeting involves the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, a group of security partners.
- The focus is on tackling people-smuggling to the UK and has seen a 37% increase this year.
- Over 30,000 people have arrived in the UK by small boat this year.
- This meeting is Mahmood's first significant engagement as home secretary.
- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently reshuffled his cabinet, appointing Mahmood.
- Discussions will also address online child sexual abuse and synthetic drug issues.
- The UK government may expand military sites to accommodate asylum seekers.
