The Latest Breaking News from Yvette Cooper

The deal has been criticised by refugee charities, which have urged the Government to provide more safe, legal routes for asylum seekers instead.

Tories say the deal will make ‘no difference whatsover’ amid reports the pilot scheme will see only 50 people a week returned to France

Hundreds could join weekend rally in support of proscribed group as 300 UK Jewish figures urge PM to lift ban

It comes amid claims of a ‘cover-up’ of details about an alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton.

COMMENT: As home secretary Yvette Cooper announces £100m to pay for more border officers and new surveillance technology, among a raft of key measures, Sean O'Grady admits that there is no silver bullet to stop illegal immigration – and that slow, unshowy progress risks playing into Reform UK’s hands

The funding will pay for up to 300 more National Crime Agency officers and new technology and equipment to step up intelligence-gathering on smuggling gangs

Home Office’s announcement follows growing number of protests outside asylum seeker hotels

Labour is seeking to bring down small boat crossings, which have topped 25,000 for the year so far.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has also said she plans to introduce a fast-track scheme to tackle the asylum backlog.

Change to border security bill will also make it a crime to advertise fake passports, visas and work opportunities

Tensions over asylum hotels have flared up in recent weeks, with a protest and counter-protest taking place on Saturday outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in north London