The announcement emerges after a recent change to the law in June, with a scheduled entry in September, which implies that prisoners can be deported after serving 30% of the prison sentence, instead of the current 50%
The British government has announced that it will propose a legislative change to allow immediate deportation, and prohibition of return to the United Kingdom, foreign criminals with prison for crimes in England and Wales.
According to a British Ministry of Justice statement, the measures would affect “all foreign criminals already in police custody, as well as the recently convicted ones”, with the aim of saving costs and relieving pressure on the already overcrowded prison system in the country.
According to data provided by the British government, foreign criminals represent about 12% of the total prison population, and arrests cost an average of £ 54,000 (almost 62,350 euros) per year.
The announcement arises after a recent change to the law in June, with a scheduled entry in September, which implies that prisoners can be deported after serving 30% of the prison sentence instead of the current 50%.
Keir Strmer’s labor government now needs the British Parliament to give green light to its new proposal to further reduce this percentage to 0%.
According to British Justice Minister Shaba Mahmood, the British government is taking “drastic measures” to deport foreign criminals, having been removed nearly 5,200 people since the labor party assumed power in July 2024, an increase of 14% over the previous year.
“Our message is clear: to abuse our hospitality and violate our laws, we will expel it,” said Shaba Mahmood in the statement. “If you come to this country and commit a crime, you will not be able to stay here. It will face deportation as soon as possible,” Keir Stmerer wrote today on his social network account.
