The UK government has unveiled a sweeping new policy that would see foreign criminals deported immediately after receiving a custodial sentence, in a move that ministers say will save taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds and make British streets safer. The changes, announced by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and supported by other senior officials, represent the latest escalation in the government’s ongoing efforts to overhaul the criminal justice system and address the persistent issue of foreign nationals in British prisons.
Currently, foreign offenders make up about 12% of the UK’s prison population, which, according to government figures, translates to around 10,400 individuals as of January 2024. Housing these prisoners costs the public purse an average of £54,000 per inmate every year—a figure that has drawn increasing scrutiny as prison capacity tightens and public finances remain under pressure. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) estimates that the new deportation powers could save taxpayers nearly £600 million annually if fully implemented, as reported by the BBC and the Sunday Mirror.
Under the proposed law, any foreign national given a fixed-term custodial sentence would be deported straight away, with a lifetime ban on re-entering the UK. The decision of whether these individuals serve out their sentences in their home countries would be left up to those nations; in practice, this could mean that some offenders might walk free upon arrival, depending on local policies. The MoJ clarified to the BBC that the definition of a foreign national is based on the criteria set out in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized the government’s determination, stating, “This government is taking radical action to deport foreign criminals, as part of our Plan for Change. Deportations are up under this government, and with this new law they will happen earlier and faster than ever before. Our message is clear: if you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing.”
The new policy would not apply to those serving life sentences—such as terrorists or murderers—who will be required to complete their full sentence in the UK before being considered for deportation. The decision to deport after sentencing will fall to a prison governor, but authorities will retain the power to keep certain criminals in custody if there are concerns about national security or if the individual poses a further threat to the UK. As Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones told the Sunday Mirror, “Foreign criminals who come here and break the law should expect to be deported—not given free bed and board in our jails while their victims must rebuild their lives. Today’s announcement is about putting victims first. Victims can be safe in the knowledge that their perpetrators cannot return to these shores to offend again.”
The government’s announcement follows a series of incremental changes to deportation laws. In June 2025, a legal adjustment is set to take effect in September, reducing the threshold for deportation eligibility from 50% of a prison sentence served to 30%. The government now seeks Parliament’s approval to bring this down to zero, meaning deportation could occur immediately after sentencing. If approved, these powers could be applied retroactively, allowing for the immediate deportation of foreign nationals already serving sentences in UK prisons.
According to government data, almost 5,200 foreign national offenders have been deported since July 2024, marking a 14% increase compared to the previous twelve months. The move is expected to result in as many as 3,000 foreign convicts being removed from Britain in the near future. The government has also invested £5 million to deploy specialist staff to nearly 80 jails, with a focus on accelerating removals, and is in the process of building 14,000 more prison places as part of its broader “Plan for Change.”
Minister Alex Davies-Jones stressed, “This is part of our Plan for Change to fix the broken criminal justice system we inherited and make our streets safer. This includes building 14,000 more prison places, reforming sentencing, and ensuring victims get the support they need. This Government will always be on the side of victims and survivors, not those who harm them.”
Not everyone is convinced that the policy will be as effective as promised. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick voiced skepticism, warning that some countries might refuse to accept deported nationals. “If countries won’t take back their nationals, Starmer should suspend visas and foreign aid. His soft-touch approach isn’t working,” Jenrick argued, as reported by the BBC. However, government ministers counter that under international law, countries are obliged to take back their citizens, so no special deals are required for deportations.
Labour sources have noted that the previous Conservative government relied heavily on prison transfer agreements with other countries, which allowed inmates to serve their sentences in their “home” nation. Between 2010 and 2023, only 945 prisoners were sent abroad under such deals—an average of less than one and a half per week. The new policy, by contrast, aims to make immediate deportation the norm for all but the most serious offenders.
The announcement comes on the heels of a major UK-France agreement to tackle small boat crossings in the Channel, highlighting the government’s broader efforts to address illegal migration and border security. Yet, the tough rhetoric has not sat well with everyone. More than 100 refugee charities signed an open letter to the Prime Minister earlier this year, urging an end to what they called “hostile politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past.” Some Labour MPs are reportedly uneasy about the tone and language used by ministers in promoting the new deportation rules.
The government insists that the priority is public safety and fiscal responsibility. With prison places costing the country tens of thousands of pounds per year, and with a significant proportion of the prison population made up of foreign nationals, ministers argue that the new policy is both pragmatic and necessary. “Deportations are up under this Government, and with this new law they will happen earlier than ever before,” Mahmood reiterated. “Our message is clear: if you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing.”
As Parliament prepares to debate the proposed changes, the UK faces a pivotal moment in its approach to foreign offenders. Supporters see a chance to save money and protect victims, while critics warn of potential diplomatic headaches and the risk of stoking division. What’s certain is that the conversation around crime, punishment, and migration in Britain is far from over.
