Politics LIVE: Keir Starmer to meet German Chancellor in latest bid to tackle small boats

Sir Keir Starmer will host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his first official visit to the UK today.

Berlin agreed last year to make facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the UK a criminal offence in a move that will give law enforcements more powers to investigate the supply and storage of small boats to be used for Channel crossings.

Mr Merz is expected to use the visit to commit to adopting the law change by the end of the year.

Sir Keir said: "Chancellor Merz's commitment to make necessary changes to German law to disrupt the supply lines of the dangerous vessels which carry illegal migrants across the Channel is hugely welcome.

"As the closest of allies, we will continue to work closely together to deliver on the priorities that Brits and Germans share."

It comes as the PM has been pushing to boost ties with EU countries in a bid to tackle the small boats crisis.