Nearly 30,000 failed asylum seekers and criminals deported since Labour came to power
GB News
The figures come amid increased immigration enforcement action by the Government
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Nearly 30,000 failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and other immigration offenders have been returned to countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America since the election.
It comes after increased immigration enforcement action by the Government.
The figures released today show a 12 per cent increase in returns compared to the same period 12 months ago.
This surge in removals is part of the Government's Plan for Change, which aims to restore order to the asylum system.
Nearly 30,000 failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and other immigration offenders have been returned to countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America since the election
Home Office/ Getty
The continued rise in removals includes a 23 per cent increase in enforced returns and a 14 per cent increase in foreign national offenders' removals since July 5.
The Government has also conducted the four biggest returns charter flights in UK history, with more than 850 people on board in total.
These enforcement actions form part of the Government's strategy to break the business model of smuggling gangs through tougher law enforcement powers and remove those who are in Britain illegally.
The Home Office has also since released a new video showing 47 people with no right to be in the UK arriving in Albania after being returned via a UK charter flight.
The footage shows the inner workings of the removals process and provides insight into post-flight processing once in country.
It also showcases the work being carried out by the UK-Albania Joint Migration Task Force, which has led to a 95 per cent reduction in Albanian small boat arrivals over the last three years.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The continued rise in removals includes a 23 per cent increase in enforced returns and a 14 per cent increase in foreign national offenders' removals since July 5
Home Office
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The rules need to be respected and enforced. That is why we have substantially increased immigration enforcement - taking strong action to return more foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers who have no right to be in the UK.
"The work of Immigration Enforcement teams to substantially increase illegal working raids, returns and deportations is an important part of strengthening our border security.
"As part of the Immigration White Paper reforms, we will strengthen the rules so that more foreign national offenders can be returned."
Following the success of the UK-Albania partnership, the Joint Migration Task Force is now being expanded to include Kosovo and North Macedonia.
The Prime Minister recently announced that the UK is entering discussions with several countries on collaborating on returns hubs, which would target failed asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal routes to remain in the UK.
Since taking office, the Government has reset its approach to global cooperation, striking new bilateral agreements with key international partners including France, Germany, Italy, and Balkan states.
These enforcement actions form part of the Government's strategy to break the business model of smuggling gangs through tougher law enforcement powers and remove those who are in Britain illegally
Home Office
The latest figures show that it costs £132 per day to keep a foreign offender in a prison in England and Wales.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "Through close collaboration with partners like Albania, we are stepping up our efforts to return those with no right to be in the UK to their countries of origin."
Last month, 43 failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders were returned to Nigeria and Ghana.
Those removed included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had served their sentences, with seven people returning voluntarily.
The UK's border security efforts have been bolstered by new legislation through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
The legislation excludes foreign sex offenders from refugee protections and introduces a new 24-week target to decide appeals.