For the past three years, the Home Office has conducted advertisements in Albania, France, and Belgium in an effort to discourage illegal immigration; however, Home Secretary James Cleverly has now approved an expansion into six additional nations.
For the past three years, the Home Office has conducted advertisements in Albania, France, and Belgium in an effort to discourage illegal immigration; however, Home Secretary James Cleverly has now approved an expansion into six additional nations.
The Times was able to view draft documents that outline plans for mass advertising campaigns in Albania, Iraq, Egypt, Vietnam, and Turkey, as well as preparations to introduce them in Turkey and India.
According to reports, a rapper, two comedians, lifestyle bloggers, TV personalities, and a travel writer were included in an Albanian influencer shortlist that was compiled of people who were deemed to be appealing to young men.
According to the report, the Home Office had a budget of roughly £30,000 to pay the Albanian influencers, with a £5,000 restriction on each individual.
The Times said that a budget of £15,000 had been set aside to compensate influencers in Egypt and Vietnam. The budget for influencers in Turkey, Iraq, and India has not yet been determined, but a total of £576,500 had been approved for the five nations.
A Home Office spokesman told Sky News: “We must use social media to tell migrants the truth about illegally entering the UK and crossing the Channel. People smugglers often use these platforms to peddle misinformation and promote their criminal activity.
“We reduced crossings by 36% last year, with similar weather to 2022, thanks to our relentless action.”
