The UK has deported more than 80,000 people ahead of the 2024 general election, according to Sky News. This is 52% more than two years before the election, and the highest figure since 2016. The UK Home Office has announced its intention to speed up deportations and double funding for the immigration service by 2028.
Briefly about the main points
- Following the 2024 election, the UK deported more than 80,000 people.
- The figure was the highest since 2016.
- 24,471 returns were linked to decisions on asylum cases.
- Among those deported were people who had arrived in small boats and foreign offenders.
- The Ministry of the Interior plans to double funding for the immigration service by 2028.
Who is affected by deportation and repatriation?
Among those deported were foreign nationals who had committed offences, breached immigration rules or were residing in the country unlawfully. In British statistics, the term ‘returns’ is broader than ‘forced deportations’: it may also include the voluntary departure of people who were not entitled to remain in the United Kingdom.
According to Home Office figures for the 12 months to the end of March 2026, of the 39,007 returns, 29,284 were voluntary and 9,723 were organised by the authorities.
Refuge, small boats and foreign offenders
A total of 24,471 people were returned following decisions on asylum cases. A further 6,103 of those deported were migrants who had arrived in the UK in small boats, whilst 11,733 were foreign nationals who had committed offences.
Minister of the Interior Shabana Mahmoud stated that the government intends to further to speed up deportations. Funding for immigration enforcement is set to double by 2028.
