BRITAIN could suspend visas for countries that do not agree to returns deals for migrants, the new Home Secretary said today.

In her third full day in the job, Shabana Mahmood revealed discussions with Britain’s “Five Eyes” allies — the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada — on “co-ordinated action” to tackle irregular migration.

She said: “For us, that means including possibly the cutting of visas in the future.

“We do expect countries to play ball, play by the rules, and if one of your citizens has no right to be in our country, you do need to take them back.”

Her announcement follows a pledge by Reform UK to use financial incentives and sanctions, including possible visa restrictions, to secure returns agreements as part of a commitment to deport 600,000 people over five years.

Ms Mahmood insisted this was “a Labour government with Labour policy” and said the proposal had been under consideration “for some time.”

She added: “As Home Secretary, I have one priority. I have to secure our borders and I will do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

But migrant rights groups warned against Labour adopting Reform UK’s divisive policies.

CEO of Care4Calais Steve Smith said: “A new Home Secretary, but it seems she brings the same old tactics of mimicking the hateful policies of Reform.

“This reshuffle should be used as an opportunity for a reset. For the government to finally acknowledge that the strategy of using so-called deterrents doesn’t work.

“And to recognise that offering safe routes for people to claim asylum is the only way to end Channel crossings.

“That’s what the new Home Secretary should be focusing on as she takes office.”

Migrant Voice director Nazek Ramadan called it “disappointing” that the new Home Secretary is “so quickly replicate the anti-asylum policies of others” that cause harm to many different individuals.

She said: “Imposing visa restrictions is a guaranteed way to ensure that even more people, desperate to flee their country or to join family in the UK, are forced into using irregular routes.

“Rather than helping to ‘smash the gangs,’ this policy would play straight into the business model of those gangs, and leave more people at risk of being preyed on by them.”