Migrants facing deportation from Britain are being taught balloon craft and flower arranging with taxpayers' money.
Taxpayer funds totalling £165,000 annually are being allocated to recruit instructors for recreational activities for individuals awaiting deportation at the Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre.
A facility that accommodates people, including serious offenders, has advertised positions through contractor Mitie on the Government's employment website.
Home Office Minister Seema Malhotra responded to the revelations, she said: "We don't believe all these roles are necessary and have told the Home Office to speak to Mitie to remove them."
The spending has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative politicians who argue resources should focus on expediting removals rather than providing leisure activities.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick condemned the expenditure, he told The Sun: "The Government has lost the plot. They’re so addicted to providing freebies that they’re even handing them out to foreign criminals when they’re about to be chucked out the county. It’s insane."
He demanded immediate withdrawal of the positions, suggesting they be replaced with security personnel to boost deportation rates.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp echoed these sentiments, he said: "Labour are pouring taxpayers' money into perks when every effort should be on deportations."
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Migrants facing deportation from Britain are being taught balloon craft and flower arranging with taxpayers' money
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He added: "Hiring gym managers and balloon craft tutors for people who must be deported is indefensible and must be stopped immediately.
"If you come here illegally, you should not be rewarded with courses and comforts, you should be deported swiftly. Labour have scrapped deterrents, grounded enforcement, and are now treating removal centres like leisure centres."
The advertised positions include a hospitality and floristry instructor tasked with conducting workshops in cake decoration, balloon artistry and various craft activities for residents.
A hairdressing instructor's role involves providing cutting, colouring and braiding services, while a "creatively-minded" painting instructor would organise "paint parties" aimed at creating an encouraging learning environment.
The Heathrow facilities form Europe's largest detention complex
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The recruitment drive also seeks a vocational skills instructor earning £31,585 yearly and a gymnasium manager at £38,873 annually, responsible for coordinating activities across sports halls and outdoor areas.
These recreational services form part of Mitie's £290million agreement with the Home Office, established in 2014.
Seema Malhotra, Home Office Minister, said: "We do not believe all these roles are necessary and have told the Home Office to speak to Mitie to remove them."
The Heathrow facilities comprise Harmondsworth, accommodating 658 individuals, and Colnbrook, housing 300 residents, together forming Europe's largest detention complex.
The advertised positions include a hospitality and floristry instructor tasked with conducting workshops in cake decoration, balloon artistry and various craft activities for residents
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Despite recruitment for recreational roles, a prison inspection report revealed severe understaffing in essential services, with detainees experiencing lengthy waits for mental health support.
Chief Inspector Charlie Taylor documented widespread drug availability, with one-fifth of detainees reporting easy access to narcotics and increasing discoveries of drug-related items.
At Harmondsworth, where approximately two-thirds of new arrivals came directly from prison, inspectors observed residents openly smoking cannabis whilst staff had largely ceased challenging indoor smoking violations.
Migrants, including asylum seekers, can be housed in a removal centre before deportation or while their immigration status is resolved.
Home Office figures show 1,808 people are currently in UK detention centres.
A Mitie spokesman said: "As part of our contractual obligations, we employ colleagues to run activities at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) to support the physical and mental wellbeing of detained individuals.
"The impact of these services was highlighted in the recent HMIP report into Harmondsworth, which said that these provisions contributed to a greater overall focus on helping individuals to manage the stresses of detention."