LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government plans to make it easier to remove migrants with no rights to stay in Britain, as he seeks to gain control of the political narrative after one of the most bruising weeks of his 16 months in power.

Proposals to speed up the process, including by overhauling human rights law, are

set to be unveiled by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood

It marks a fresh attempt to address criticism that Labour is failing to get a grip on the number of people seeking refuge in Britain, an issue that has fuelled support for Mr Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK party.

Almost 40,000 people have made the journey across the English Channel in small boats in 2025, despite Mr Starmer’s pledge to “smash” the criminal gangs behind the crossings.

Immigration topped a recent Ipsos opinion poll of the most important issues facing Britain.

“Public confidence is low, they need to see delivery,” Home Office minister Alex Norris said on BBC TV on Nov 17, when asked about the reforms. “We are very confident in our ability to implement it and the impact that it will have.”

Mr Starmer is still reeling from allegations that a Cabinet minister was plotting to oust him and last week’s market-roiling U-turn over increasing income tax rates, a decision that has raised fresh questions over how Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will fill a gaping fiscal hole in her upcoming budget.

Mr Starmer’s allies were left fearful that his position is now at risk.

British gilts were little changed on the morning of Nov 17, holding Nov 14’s loss in which 10-year yields...