The UK could seek talks with the Taliban to send failed asylum seekers back to Afghanistan for the first time since the fall of Kabul, the home secretary has signalled. Shabana Mahmood said the UK was “monitoring very closely” what other countries were planning to do amid reports that European nations are planning to explore talks with the Taliban about possible deportations. Afghans were the most common nationality arriving by small boat to the UK in the year ending June 2025, with the number of arrivals at 6,360, 18 per cent higher than the previous year. The UK government does not recognise the Taliban administration, which is a barrier to sending back those not granted refugee status.…