The UK’s “Independent” newspaper revealed that the Labour Party has spent nearly £40 million on a plan to facilitate the automatic return of illegal immigrants to their home countries.
Since coming into power in July 2024, the Home Office under the Labour Party has significantly increased the costs associated with assisting returns. By March this year, 17,346 individuals had accepted the proposal, totaling £35.7 million.
In April, an additional £4 million was allocated for the repatriation of an undisclosed number of illegal immigrants, bringing the total expenditure on illegal immigration during the Labour Party’s tenure to £39.7 million.
Qualified illegal immigrants are provided with a prepaid card to support them in finding employment or accommodation upon their return to their home country. As part of the agreement, the government also covers their airfare.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood believes that the voluntary repatriation scheme is worthwhile as it is much cheaper than accommodating asylum seekers in hotels.
According to the UK Home Office, the average cost of assisting voluntary repatriation (including airfare) is £4,000, while the average cost of forced repatriation amounts to £48,000. The cost of a family staying in asylum hotels can reach up to £158,000 per year.
The latest data shows that Labour Party repatriations of foreign criminals and illegal entrants to the UK have reached the highest levels in nearly a decade, including the repatriation of 6,103 illegal immigrants who arrived in the UK by small boats.
The Conservative Party argues that instead of “bribing them (illegal immigrants)” to leave, the government should prevent their illegal entry at the source.
Shadow Home Secretary and MP Chris Philp stated, “The Labour Party is spending money to make illegal immigrants leave rather than stopping them from entering in the first place.”
“Only 7% of those who arrived by small boats have been repatriated since the election, and very few asylum applicants who are eventually repatriated have failed. As long as the Labour Party refuses to reform welfare systems and allows loopholes for illegal immigrants to stay under asylum rules, nothing will change.”
Invoices analyzed by procurement specialist Tussell show that since 2021, the UK Home Office has paid £83.6 million to contractor Prepaid Payment Solutions for assisting voluntary departures.
This funding is also used to provide prepaid cards, ensure their usability abroad, and establish a consumer monitoring system. Those eligible for the scheme will be subjected to a “re-entry ban,” meaning they cannot return to the UK for a specified period.
According to statistics from the UK Home Office, nearly half of last year’s approved participants in the scheme were from Brazil.