The UK government has expanded its ‘deport now, appeal later’ scheme to include 15 additional countries, enabling foreign criminals to be removed before their appeals are heard. The move, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says, will prevent offenders from “exploiting the immigration system” and will fast-track removals.
The policy now covers 23 countries, nearly triple the original eight. Newly added nations include Canada, India, Australia, Angola, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda, and Zambia.
Foreign criminals to face faster removals
Under the expanded scheme, foreign nationals convicted of crimes in the UK and refused residency or asylum claims can be deported before their appeals are completed. Appeals will instead be heard remotely from their home countries via video link.
Home Office figures show that as of June, there were 772 prisoners from the 15 newly added countries in England and Wales, with India the only nation among them in the top list of prisoner nationalities.
Tackling prison overcrowding
Ministers argue the expansion will help ease severe prison overcrowding, with occupancy levels in England and Wales nearing 100%. Foreign offenders currently make up about 12% of the prison population, costing taxpayers an average of £54,000 per inmate annually.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also proposed separate legislation to deport foreign offenders immediately after receiving custodial sentences, barring their return to the UK. “If you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing,” she said.
Political reactions and concerns
Foreign Secretary David Lammy welcomed the policy expansion, noting ongoing efforts to secure more bilateral agreements for returning offenders.
The opposition Conservative Party also supported the move but claimed it does not go far enough. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said only the Conservatives were committed to deporting all foreign criminals, while shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick warned that some countries may refuse to take back their nationals — suggesting visa and aid suspensions as leverage.
Cooper stressed the aim is to stop offenders from remaining in the UK “for months or even years” during lengthy appeals, sending a clear message that British laws “must be respected and will be enforced.”
