“Hundreds” of migrants have so far been returned to Albania under the government’s “landmark” deal with the country, says immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

That’s despite more than 12,000 Albanian people crossing the Channel on small boats last year, according to official figures.

Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge, Mr Jenrick initially said “thousands” of illegal migrants were being returned to Albania, before clarifying that “hundreds” had been placed on the flights agreed in December last year.

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He said it was still “early days” and that “spurious last minute claims” had held up deportations – but admitted many others were currently in hotels or had absconded.

Mr Jenrick was asked “How many people who’ve arrived on small boats have been returned to Albania?” – to which he replied that “thousands of Albanians are returning to Albania”.

He was then pushed by Sophy on whether this figure included criminals as well, rather than just those who arrived across the Channel.

The Home Office minister clarified: “Well there are hundreds of Albanians who’ve arrived who have been placed on those flights.”