06 January 2024 , 17:38
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Guards outnumber migrants by almost two to one on deportation flights.
Last year, the Home Office flew 1,516 deportees with 2,812 guards, our audit found. One jet to Albania in March had 49 guards for 20 deportees. They were hired by out-sourcing giant Mitie, which won a £524million 10-year deal in 2017 to provide guards.
A total 39 flights in 2023 carried 966 foreign national offenders and 550 illegal migrants. All went to Albania and Romania – except one, which sent a sole passenger to Somalia in August.
The Home Office said the ratio was "carefully assessed" (FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)In 2022, £3,428,000 was spent deporting 439 people on 18 flights from September to December – equivalent to £7,800 per deportee.
Shadow minister for immigration Stephen Kinnock said: “While there must always be proper security on removal flights, something is badly wrong when it costs millions to remove so few people.”
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Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael added: “Tory incompetence is burning a hole in taxpayers’ pockets. There are serious questions about how such absurd staffing plans were signed off.”
The Home Office said: “The escort ratio required for each overseas return is carefully assessed to ensure a safe and successful return.”