Hundreds of illegal migrants deported on flights from the UK as Keir Starmer tackles ‘broken’ system

Labour leader Keir Starmer is spearheading the deportation of illegal migrants from the UK as he tackles what he calls a ‘broken’ system. Recent figures reveal that since taking office, around 9,400 individuals without legal rights to stay in the UK have been sent back to their home countries, including nearly 2,600 forced deportations – representing a 19% increase compared to the previous year.

Two unprecedented deportation flights have been conducted since the election, removing numerous individuals who entered the UK illegally. This initiative comes after a significant victory in the fight against human smuggling networks, with the arrest of a key figure known as the “Engine King” in Amsterdam. The Turkish suspect, believed to have supplied boat motors to smuggling operations, has been extradited to Belgium for prosecution.

Labour is now credited with coordinating the three largest deportation flights in UK history, collectively removing 629 people. Additional flights are planned for the coming months, including to destinations where the UK has not previously chartered flights. Since July, over 25 bespoke deportation flights have taken place, returning individuals to countries such as Albania, Poland, Romania, and Vietnam, with the first-ever flight to Timor-Leste and the largest to Nigeria and Ghana.

A Labour source has described the asylum and immigration system inherited by the current government as a “utter disaster,” pointing out failed predictions and wasteful spending on ineffective schemes. The Home Office had projected over 50,000 Channel crossings in 2024, amidst a backlog of asylum decisions and a failed deportation scheme to Rwanda that saw minimal success in voluntary relocations.

In total, since Labour came into power, there has been a 14% increase in the return of foreign national offenders compared to the previous year. The recent efforts to deport illegal migrants aim to address the challenges faced by the UK immigration system and signal a shift towards stricter enforcement and control.

**Insights and Summary:**
Keir Starmer’s proactive approach to deporting illegal migrants reflects a tough stance on immigration enforcement, aiming to address the shortcomings of the existing system. The increased deportation numbers indicate a commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the nation’s borders. By targeting key figures in smuggling networks and organising record-breaking deportation flights, Labour is making significant strides in combating illegal immigration. This development underscores the ongoing challenges and complexities in managing immigration policies and border control effectively.