Sir Keir Starmer has spent more than £22,000 per deportee on each illegal migrant and criminal that was deported on a private jet yesterday, it has been claimed.
Footage was released yesterday by the Home Office of 47 people boarding the flight bound for Albania. It was the first time the Government department published images of a deportation flight.
The unprecedented move is part of a drive by the new Government to try to show it is taking tough action on those with no right to live or work in Britain.
It comes as the Government confirms 19,000 foreign nationals have been removed from the country since Labour came to power.
The video, which is about two-and-a-half minutes long, shows multiple foreign nationals, some in restraints, being led onto a specially chartered aircraftHome OfficeImages from last month’s flight – which cost the taxpayer £1million – show the deportees being led up the steps by security escorts.
One at a time, each foreign national is seen on the footage being taken from a bus parked on the airport tarmac and escorted up covered stairs to the aircraft.
Each offender was escorted by four security personnel as they were taken up the steps.
Several were seen wearing restraints around their wrists, which were fastened to a strapping around their waists.
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Each offender was escorted by four security personnel as they were taken up the steps
Home Office
One at a time, each foreign national is seen on the footage being taken from a bus parked on the airport tarmac and escorted up covered stairs to the aircraftHome OfficeScheduled carriers will not take part in the flights, so private charter jets have to be used instead.
This stands in stark contrast to the US’s deportation plans, where they use military aircraft to remove illegal migrants.
In the UK, there have so far been 39 charter flights leaving for countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.
The increase in removals comes as the Home Office confirms a significant surge in Immigration Enforcement raids on UK businesses employing foreign nationals with no right to live or work here.
Sir Keir Starmer has spent more than £22,000 per deportee on each illegal migrant and criminal that was deported on a private jet yesterday
GETTY
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “To rebuild public confidence in the immigration system, we need to show the rules are respected and enforced.
“That’s why, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, we have put significant additional resources into immigration enforcement and returns, so those who have no right to be here, particularly those who have committed crimes in our country, are removed as swiftly as possible.
“I want to pay tribute to all the Immigration Enforcement staff and other officials in the Home Office who strive tirelessly every day to make our returns system work firmly, fairly and swiftly.”