Here’s a round-up of today’s news as Rishi Sunak told parliament that he has agreed a deal with Albania that he hopes will tackle the number of small boats arriving on English shores. Sunak has said that he will end a backlog of nearly 100,000 asylum claims by the end of 2023, as part of an attempt to reform the UK’s immigration system. The prime minister unveiled a five-point plan including changes to the law that will criminalise and remove tens of thousands of people who claim asylum after travelling to the UK by small boat. An agreement with Albania means the process of returning people to the Balkan country will be sped up. The “vast majority” of asylum claims could be declared as “clearly unfounded”, he said. A small boats command will be formed, with 700 new staff from Border Force, the National Crime Agency and other agencies, to try to stop people smuggling. Sunak said the number of immigration raids will increase. Asylum seekers will no longer be housed in hotels, but instead will be sent to disused former military bases, holiday camps and student accommodation. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was a “gimmick”, and that money is being “wasted” on a plan to deport people to Rwanda. Former prime minister Theresa May said she is concerned the plans will undermine protection for victims of modern slavery. Amnesty International said Sunak was “scapegoating” asylum seekers. Its refugee and migrant rights director said: “[Sunak] he either doesn’t have a clue or frankly does not care”. The Refugee Council said it is “deeply disturbing [and] flies in the face of international law”. In other news Conservative party MP Adam Afriyie says he will not resign after being declared bankrupt. The latest MRP poll by Savanta gives the Labour party a 314 seat majority, and would reduce the Conservative party to an unprecedented rump of 69 seats in the House of Commons. The government has agreed to an independent review of the impact on requiring voters to present photo ID at polling stations at the local elections in May 2023. The Electoral Reform Society said the voter ID plans “put free and fair elections in 2023 at risk”. Ministers have been accused of writing a “blank cheque” for Boris Johnson’s legal bills over partygate. Here’s our story for this evening. Thank you for following along.