The British government has announced it is extending its “Deport Now, Appeal Later” policy to include offenders from an additional 15 countries, among them India, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada and Kenya, bringing the total to 23. The scheme, introduced in 2014, allows foreign nationals convicted of crimes in England and Wales to be returned to their home countries before pursuing any legal appeal, which they may attend via video link.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the expansion was designed to stop foreign offenders “exploiting Britain’s immigration system” and to speed up removals. 

The Home Secretary previously said that offenders were able to stay in the UK „for months or even years” during the appeal process.

„That has to end. Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced,” she added.

Prisons in England and Wales are operating close to full capacity, with occupancy rates approaching 100%, sparking renewed pressure to remove foreign offenders. Ministry of Justice data shows that as of late June, 772 inmates were from the 15 nations newly added to the government’s “Deport Now, Appeal Later” scheme — though among these, only Indian nationals rank among the most common foreign prisoners.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy hailed the policy expansion, saying Britain is working to broaden agreements that allow offenders to be returned to their home countries. 

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also endorsed the move but claimed it marked a government U-turn, insisting that “only the Conservative Party is committed to deporting all foreign criminals.”

Official figures show that at the end of 2024, foreign nationals made up 12 per cent of the prison population in England and Wales, 10,355 inmates, with the average annual cost of holding a prisoner at around £54,000. The Home Office indicated that more countries could be added in future.

Source: BBC, PAP

Photo: @ExpressPolitics

Tomasz Modrzejewski