Record low number of foreign crooks are being kicked out of UK after deportations slumped by 34% last year, figures reveal
- Just 3,374 were booted out – a third fewer than 2019 and lowest figure for decade
- The Home Office has struggled amid coronavirus-related travel restrictions
- Numbers have been falling for four years from peak of more than 6,400 in 2016
- Ministers have faced widespread opposition over deportations to some countries, such as a controversial charter flight to Jamaica in December
The number of foreign criminals deported from Britain plummeted by 34 per cent to a record low last year.
Just 3,374 were booted out – a third fewer than 2019 and the lowest figure for a decade.
The Home Office struggled amid Covid-related travel restrictions.
But numbers have been falling for four years from a peak of more than 6,400 in 2016.
Ministers have faced widespread opposition over deportations to some countries, such as a controversial charter flight to Jamaica in December.
The number of foreign criminals deported from Britain plummeted by 34 per cent to a record low last year. Just 3,374 were booted out – a third fewer than 2019 and the lowest figure for a decade. (File photo)
The Home Office struggled amid Covid-related travel restrictions. But numbers have been falling for four years from a peak of more than 6,400 in 2016. (File image of Heathrow Airport)
Data published by the Home Office yesterday showed the 3,374 total last year was the lowest since records began in 2009.
Just over 2,300 were European Union nationals.
Immigration minister Chris Philp said the UK asylum system was ‘broken’. adding: ‘We are working as fast as possible to fix it.’
Broader figures, also published yesterday, show a decline in all types of removals, including failed asylum seekers and immigration offenders.
The number of enforced returns was down 42 per cent to 4,353 last year – the ninth in a row to see a decline.
By comparison, there were more than 21,000 enforced returns in 2004.
Immigration minister Chris Philp (above) said the UK asylum system was ‘broken’. adding: ‘We are working as fast as possible to fix it’
The largest number of enforced returns was to Romania (909), followed by Albania (636), Poland (402) and Brazil (377).
Voluntary returns also plummeted last year with just 6,677 taking place – compared with more than 13,000 in the previous 12 months and a peak of almost 32,000 in 2013.
The largest groups by nationality to take up voluntary return were Indians with 1,084 followed by Brazilians, with 604.
The figures break down the deported foreigners according to the risk they posed to the public.
They show the number of ‘highest harm’ criminals to be removed was 1,325, down 37 per cent year-on-year.
Others ranked ‘high harm’ was down by almost half to 1,195.
Ministers have revealed they will ‘streamline’ the asylum appeals system in a bid to prevent foreign nationals submitting late legal challenges in order to stay in the UK.
Some attempts at deportation have to be abandoned when criminals lodge new claims in the final moments before being removed.
For example, they make new allegations that they will face torture or ill-treatment in their home country, that they are victims of human trafficking or modern slavery, or that they are gay and will face discrimination.