The UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a new plan to deport foreign nationals convicted in England and Wales immediately after they are sentenced. The decision is part of the administration’s effort to show a strict approach to border and crime control.
From Early Release to Instant Deportation
The move builds on legislation passed in June, which will take effect in September. That law reduces the minimum time foreign prisoners must serve before deportation—from 50% of their sentence to 30%.
However, the Home Office said on Sunday that the latest proposal goes further. With the threshold now scrapped entirely, authorities could begin deportation proceedings right after sentencing. Labour ministers argue this would help ease prison overcrowding, lower costs, and reduce the chances of reoffending in the UK.
Law to Cover Current and Future Inmates
The proposal will be formally presented to Parliament in the coming months. If approved, it will apply not only to future offenders but also to those currently serving sentences.
Starmer’s focus on this issue reflects his hardline shift on immigration, particularly in cases involving crimes by foreigners. Analysts see this as a response to pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which has been gaining support with a similar tough-on-crime message.
Farage has already vowed to deport over 10,000 foreign criminals if elected, as well as build more prisons and rent jail space overseas from countries like El Salvador.
Exceptions for Serious Crimes
The new rules will not apply to prisoners serving life sentences, including those convicted of murder or terrorism-related crimes. Offenders considered a threat to national security or British interests will remain in UK custody.
Foreign nationals make up about 12% of the prison population in England and Wales, with Albanians being the largest group. Housing a prisoner costs the UK an average of £54,000 a year.
Between July 2024 and July 2025, the government deported 5,200 foreign offenders, a 14% increase from the previous year. The Ministry of Justice has also spent £5 million on specialist staff deployed to nearly 80 prisons to speed up deportations.
Tackling Overcrowded Prisons
Britain’s prisons are currently operating at 97.5% capacity, creating a major overcrowding crisis. The Labour government has also released certain prisoners early if they were convicted of less serious offences—a move that has drawn criticism from right-wing politicians.
The UK government plans to deport convicted foreign nationals immediately after sentencing to ease prison overcrowding, cut costs, and curb reoffending, marking PM Keir Starmer’s tougher stance on immigration.
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