The number of foreign criminals released into the United Kingdom rather than being deported has reached an all-time high under the Labour government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. According to a report from The Sun, a total of 19,491 foreign national offenders remain in Britain despite being eligible for deportation—a more than 300 percent increase since 2017, when the number stood at 5,933.
The figure has climbed by nearly 1,000 since Starmer took office last year. Despite promises of reform, the government’s failure to reduce these numbers has raised serious concerns about public safety, national security, and the cost to taxpayers.
In September, the Labour government introduced changes intended to streamline deportations. These included granting the Home Office authority to remove foreign offenders directly from prison, including those sentenced to less than one year. The threshold for time served before deportation eligibility was reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent. However, deportation efforts continue to be hindered by legal challenges brought under the European Court of Human Rights.
The United Kingdom remains bound to the ECHR despite having left the European Union. The ECHR is often cited by foreign criminals to block their removal from the country, particularly through appeals under Articles 3 and 8, which prohibit deportation on grounds of potential inhumane treatment or family impact.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has renewed calls to withdraw the UK from the ECHR entirely. Farage has also proposed the creation of a Deportation Command Centre to identify, detain, and remove illegal migrants and foreign criminals. He argues that the current system enables dangerous individuals to manipulate human rights law to avoid consequences.
The financial burden is also mounting. There are currently around 10,500 foreign nationals held in British prisons, comprising about 12 percent of the inmate population. With each prisoner costing more than £50,000 annually, the daily expense to the taxpayer stands at £1.3 million.
The Quality Learning Center controversy in Minneapolis, though outside the UK, underscores growing global frustration with unaccountable social programs and fraud, echoing concerns over Britain’s welfare and criminal justice systems.
The Home Office responded to the report by reaffirming its commitment to deporting foreign criminals. A spokesperson said the government is reforming human rights laws and the appeals process to scale up removals. All foreign offenders sentenced to prison are, according to the department, referred for deportation as early as possible.
Despite recent policy changes, the record number of foreign criminals walking free in the UK illustrates a system still struggling with enforcement and legal barriers. Political pressure is building for more decisive action, particularly among voters demanding greater control over immigration and justice.
