Foreign nationals convicted of crimes in England and Wales could soon face immediate deportation after being sentenced, under new government plans revealed by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
The proposal would allow prison governors to arrange for foreign offenders to be deported straight after receiving a custodial sentence—potentially before serving time in the UK. Whether they serve their sentence in their home country or walk free would depend on the receiving nation’s laws.
According to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), foreign offenders currently make up about 12% of the UK’s prison population, costing taxpayers an average of £54,000 per inmate each year. The government claims the policy will save money and protect the public.
However, serious offenders such as murderers and terrorists would still complete their full prison term in the UK before any deportation is considered. Authorities would also keep the right to detain criminals if they are seen as a threat to national security or likely to commit further crimes.
If approved by Parliament, the law could even apply to those already in prison, potentially leading to immediate deportations. As of January 2024, there were around 10,400 foreign nationals in UK jails.
Justice Secretary Mahmood said the plan sends a strong message: “If you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, you will be sent packing.” But Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick warned that some countries may refuse to take back deported nationals, urging tougher diplomatic measures such as suspending visas and foreign aid.
This comes after a June law change, set for September, reducing the point at which foreign prisoners face deportation from 50% of their sentence to 30%. The new proposal would bring that threshold down to 0%.