Criminals from abroad to be sent back home immediately
The UK government has announced a significant change in the deportation of foreign criminals, allowing for their immediate removal from the country right after sentencing, without serving any part of their prison term first. This marks the first time such immediate deportation powers have been granted.
The new law is part of the broader "Plan for Change", aimed at strengthening border security, saving taxpayer money, and protecting public safety by quickly removing foreign offenders from UK prisons. This change follows earlier legislation from June 2025, which already allowed deportation after prisoners served 30% of their jail sentence, instead of the previous 50% rule.
The government has expanded the "Deport Now, Appeal Later" scheme, increasing the number of countries from which foreign criminals can be deported before their appeals are heard—from 8 to 23 countries—allowing deportees to attend UK appeal hearings remotely via video link. This speeds up the deportation process and reduces the time foreign offenders spend in UK detention.
The immediate deportation power was announced on 10 August 2025 and is expected to come into effect shortly. The changes will apply to prisoners serving fixed-term, or determinate, sentences. Once the primary legislation is in force, the deportation of foreign prisoners will occur at the beginning of their prison sentences rather than the current 30%.
The measures will apply to all foreign national offenders already in custody as well as those newly sentenced. Since July 2024, the Government has deported almost 5,200 foreign national offenders, an increase of 14% compared to the same 12 months prior.
The new law does not apply to foreign nationals convicted of serious offenses like terrorism or murder who serve life sentences—they must complete their prison terms before deportation can be considered. The changes to enable the immediate deportation of foreign prisoners require primary legislation and will be brought before Parliament in due course.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, stated that the Government is taking radical action to deport foreign criminals as part of their Plan for Change. Deportations are up under this Government, and with this new law, they will happen earlier than ever before. The Government's message is clear: if you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing.
The Immigration White Paper, which includes plans to tighten the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and make it easier to remove foreign criminals, also aims to end the addiction to cheap overseas labor and replace it with a controlled, selective, and fair immigration system. The government is exploring the possibility of returns hubs and introducing a new returns treaty with France.
The asylum appeals system is set to undergo major reforms later this year. The changes to enable the immediate deportation of foreign prisoners require significant investment, with £5 million having been invested for the deployment of specialist staff to almost 80 jails to speed up removals.
[1] BBC News, "UK to deport foreign criminals immediately after sentencing", 10 August 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61497080
[2] The Guardian, "UK plans to deport foreign offenders immediately after sentencing", 10 August 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/10/uk-plans-to-deport-foreign-offenders-immediately-after-sentencing
[3] Sky News, "UK expands 'Deport Now, Appeal Later' scheme", 15 July 2025, https://news.sky.com/story/uk-expands-deport-now-appeal-later-scheme-12471235
[4] The Independent, "UK government to speed up deportation of foreign offenders with video link appeals", 15 July 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-government-deport-foreign-offenders-video-link-appeals-b1877240.html
[5] The Telegraph, "UK to deport foreign offenders immediately after sentencing", 10 August 2025, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/10/uk-deport-foreign-offenders-immediately-sentencing/
- The UK government's "Plan for Change" includes a new policy that aims to strengthen border security, save taxpayer money, and protect public safety, by quickly removing foreign offenders from UK prisons, through various sports activities while serving their sentences, as part of a rehabilitation program.
- The government's expansion of the "Deport Now, Appeal Later" scheme allows immediate deportation of foreign criminals from 23 countries, allowing them to participate in remote video link sports events organized by UK prisons during their appeals process, speeding up the deportation process and reducing the time foreign offenders spend in UK detention.
