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Foreign National Offender Removal Flights
18 May 2022
Lead MP
Tom Pursglove
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Immigration
Other Contributors: 29
At a Glance
Tom Pursglove raised concerns about foreign national offender removal flights in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister emphasised the Government's commitment to deport foreign criminals who have committed serious and violent crimes, such as murder and rape. He highlighted that since January 2019, over 10,000 foreign national offenders have been removed from the UK, including a recent flight to Jamaica with individuals convicted of rape, sexual assault against children, firearms offences, drug dealing, and other violent crimes. The Minister criticised Labour MPs for opposing the removal of these criminals, citing their role in facilitating last-minute claims and representations to prevent deportations. He stressed that public safety is non-negotiable and defended the Government's stance on deporting foreign national offenders who have no right to be in the UK.
Stephen Doughty
Lab
Cardiff South and Penarth
Question
The MP questioned whether there was a decline in foreign national offenders being returned and deported since 2019, and asked about the specific measures taken to address the Windrush scandal's lessons.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged that the number of foreign national offenders returned had decreased but emphasised the ongoing efforts to deport dangerous criminals. He did not provide specifics on steps taken to learn from the Windrush scandal.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The MP inquired about the number of foreign offenders who have absconded and the measures being taken to prevent such incidents.
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a specific figure but stated that the Government was committed to making streets safer by deporting dangerous criminals. He did not elaborate on steps to prevent absconds.
Diana Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
Question
The MP challenged the effectiveness of the deportation process, citing poor legal advice and decision-making issues.
Minister reply
The Minister defended the Government's approach to deporting foreign national offenders who have no right to be in the UK. He emphasised that public safety is non-negotiable but did not provide detailed measures to improve the deportation system.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberavon Maesteg
Question
The shadow minister criticises the government for a failure in deporting dangerous foreign criminals, citing Home Office failures that have led to fewer foreign criminals being deported than should be the case. He also questions the number of absconded offenders and what specific steps are being taken to prevent similar issues from happening again.
Minister reply
The Minister responds by stating that over 10,000 foreign national offenders have been removed since 2019, acknowledging the impact of the pandemic. He emphasises that removals mainly involve European economic area countries and are done on an individual basis.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Question
The MP asks how last-minute appeals can stop people from going on flights for deportation, questioning the need for a cut-off date beyond which no further appeals can be made. He also asks whether the Minister has been on one of these deportation flights.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms that he was on a removal flight to Poland and supports the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, which introduces priority removal notices to expedite deportations.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Edinburgh South
Question
The MP criticises the Minister for overblown rhetoric in his statement and questions whether deportation of individuals brought up in the UK but born elsewhere is justified, particularly considering its impact on families. He argues that it is nonsensical to deport such individuals when they have little connection with their home countries.
Minister reply
The Minister states that the Government takes responsibility for returns and expects other countries to do the same with immigrants who have committed criminality in the UK. He also mentions that there has been considerable interest from Members of Parliament on this issue.
Tim Loughton
Con
Question
Asks about the cost of failed deportations, legal challenges by left-wing lawyers, and unused tickets for offenders taken off planes at last minute.
Minister reply
Acknowledges significant costs but asserts that people with no right to be in UK or who commit serious offences should not remain. States intention to share specific costings.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
Questions the Government's record on removing foreign criminals, including those absconding before removal, and inquires if 91,000 civil servant cut will impact Home Office resources.
Minister reply
Confident of necessary resources but notes that abuse of immigration system complicates day-to-day work.
Natalie Elphicke
Con
Question
Advocates speeding up deportations and implementing Rwanda agreement without political interference.
Minister reply
Acknowledges challenges and confirms reforms necessary; operationalizing measures of Nationality and Borders Act at pace.
Valerie Vaz
Lab
Walsall and Bloxwich
Question
Requests reassessment of case involving a person who attempted to murder her constituent, seeking deportation.
Minister reply
Grateful for constructive approach; agrees to look at the case and ensures deportation if eligible under Act.
William Wragg
Con
Question
Inquires about number of dangerous foreign national offenders originally scheduled for deportation flight, compared with actual departures.
Minister reply
Confirms original manifest had 112 individuals but only seven left on the flight due to appeals.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Question
Asks if agreement made in November 2020 with Jamaica concerning removal of persons who came under age of 12 still stands.
Minister reply
States that age upon arrival is not an exception to deportation but various factors including length of stay and social ties are considered.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Question
Asks about plans for housing 1,500 young single men in a village of 600 residents, raising safety concerns.
Minister reply
Grateful for constituency concern; acknowledges need for sustainable accommodation model but seeks to engage further.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Inquires about implementation progress of Stephen Shaw’s report recommendations on immigration detention.
Minister reply
Agrees to write with update on work done, as facilities and policies are under constant review.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Requests naming and shaming of countries not cooperating in deportation programme and consideration of visa penalties.
Minister reply
Acknowledges mixed performance but notes constructive discussions; new visa penalty provisions introduced to drive improvements.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
Challenges human rights implications of deporting extremely vulnerable individuals who may face harm.
Minister reply
Asserts compliance with appropriate human rights law and thorough risk assessments conducted for all in scope.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
It is outrageous that anyone should conflate the Commonwealth citizens who have come and contributed directly to this country with foreign nationals who have been convicted in our courts of the most serious offences. Will my hon. Friend update the House on the backlog for removing dangerous foreign offenders and the numbers of those in prison now who are likely to be deported at the end of their sentences?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue as the victims’ Minister, too. We are prioritising the removal of individuals from our country who have no right to be here, and are introducing reforms to achieve progress in that regard.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
I believe I heard the Minister right that there was a manifest today with 122 people on it who were to be deported, but only seven were finally deported. Does this not just point to the incompetence and problem we have with this Government?
Minister reply
The manifest began with 112 people on it and seven ended up on the flight leaving overnight. The hon. Gentleman had an opportunity to vote for the solution but consistently refused to do so.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Question
The SNP spokesman said it may be very cruel to deport these criminals who are paedophiles, murderers, and rapists, but what is very cruel is the suffering of the victims and their families. Will my hon. Friend tell me what work he is doing with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that processes start while people are in prison?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to raise this point. I am discussing with the Minister for Prisons on how we can create greater awareness around release from prison and removal and deportation when appropriate.
Question
May I say how disrespectful it is that Conservative Members keep talking about lawyers who protect people under the laws of this country? One person was taken off the flight because they were protected by a lawyer, does the Minister think the lawyer or law was wrong?
Minister reply
There is a proper process in place to check for vulnerability and ensure cases are dealt with appropriately. People have access to legal advice, which is crucial to handling these matters sensitively and correctly in accordance with the law.
Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that any foreign national with a sentence of over 12 months will be automatically deported since we left the EU? This puts emphasis on the Home Office to make sure its legal ducks are in a row and the right people are deported.
Minister reply
That caseworking side of things is so important. We are looking at this intensively through our new plan for immigration and reforms introduced.
Birmingham Erdington
Question
Young adults being deported arrived in the UK as minors. No weight is placed on rehabilitation, but I am about rehabilitation. Does the Minister believe that weight should be placed on rehabilitation for young people who made a mistake and committed a crime?
Minister reply
I think there is absolutely a place for rehabilitation within the criminal justice system, but what we are talking about here is serious criminality causing real harm to our communities.
Question
May I encourage my hon. Friend to come to the Dispatch Box more often? Residents in Kettering want foreign national offenders who have committed violent offences to be deported and they are appalled that 107 of those should leave remain on British soil.
Minister reply
The status quo is depressing, but we will continue working hard to deliver reforms through the Act. We need to clamp down on people returning in breach of a deportation order.
Question
I know from my case work that the Home Office decision-making process is flawed and mistakes are often made. Can the Minister provide an updated figure on cases where somebody has been removed incorrectly?
Minister reply
We are driving comprehensive reform through the new plan for immigration. I will take away her question and write to her with more specific information if possible.
Question
Does the Minister agree that had the Opposition supported our Nationality and Borders Act, some of the dangerous criminals being prevented from removal would not be on our streets?
Minister reply
Some of the dither and delay we saw in passing that legislation has not escaped my hon. Friend’s attention. We have a plan to fundamentally improve matters.
Burnley
Question
My constituents in Burnley and Padiham are concerned about the approach of the Labour party towards foreign criminals. They want to see more deportations of these individuals and more publicised flights, so I urge the Minister to lay on more flights to ensure that people know we support law-abiding citizens.
Minister reply
The British Government is committed to its legal obligations regarding the deportation of foreign national offenders who have committed serious crimes. The minister acknowledges the concerns raised by his hon. Friend and emphasises the need for reform, stating that the government will continue to drive this agenda forward to keep communities safe.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The Government’s strategy to deport criminals, including paedophiles, murderers and rapists, is praised for its workability. The hon. Member requests assurance that all actions are in accordance with the law and asks about steps taken to protect human rights of those deported during and after their removal process.
Minister reply
The UK Government acts in compliance with legal obligations when handling deportations. Minister Tom Pursglove personally observed a deportation flight, noting the respect and dignity shown by teams towards individuals throughout the process.
Jonathan Gullis
Con
Stoke-on-Trent North
Question
The people of Stoke-on-Trent are pleased with the number of foreign national offenders deported since 2019, but frustrated that Labour Members are perceived as opposing deportation efforts due to their stance on border control. The MP asks for support from the minister in aligning with public sentiment.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees with his hon. Friend's constituents' desire for safer streets and criticises those who oppose deportations without being open about their motivations regarding border control.
Shadow Comment
Stephen Kinnock
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Minister criticised the Home Office for failing to enforce rules fairly, highlighting a decline in the number of foreign national offenders being returned and deported since 2019. He pointed out that the Windrush scandal had shown significant errors by the Home Office in detention and deportation decisions. Kinnock also mentioned that fewer foreign criminals are being deported due to failures in the legal process and poor decision-making by the department. The Shadow Minister questioned the current deportation system's effectiveness, calling for specific steps to address issues raised during the Windrush scandal.
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