The Justice Secretary has revealed that there has been a significant increase of 75% in the deportation of foreign criminals under the Labour government. According to David Lammy, over 2,700 foreign national offenders were deported through the early removal scheme in the past year, compared to only 1,560 during the final year of the previous administration.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that these numbers reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the prisons crisis. He stated during a session in the Commons that the government’s efforts have led to a 75% surge in the removal of foreign criminals, with the weekly removal rate reaching a peak of 114 in September, averaging 16 per day.
Under new stringent regulations introduced earlier this year, foreign criminals can now be deported even earlier in their sentences. The total number of foreign national offenders returned has increased by 14% since Labour took office. Despite previous promises by Rishi Sunak to double the deportation of foreign criminals, the numbers were still below 2010 levels when the Conservatives exited office in July 2024.
Jake Richards, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sentencing, Youth Justice, and International, affirmed that the Labour government is implementing bold measures to expel foreign criminals swiftly. He highlighted the increased deportations and the government’s focus on ensuring these actions occur promptly. Richards also mentioned plans to recalibrate the application of human rights law domestically and internationally to prevent offenders from exploiting legal loopholes. The government’s commitment to deporting more foreign criminals is resolute and in line with their stated objectives.