Reform UK Announces New Deportation Agency
An agency dedicated to coordinating the deportation of illegal migrants would be established as a "burning" priority by a Reform UK government, according to Zia Yusuf.
In his first address as the party's home affairs spokesman, Yusuf outlined plans to create a UK Deportation Command to implement Operation Restoring Justice, with a commitment to detain 24,000 illegal migrants.
He stated that officers would "track down, detain and deport all illegal migrants," providing modular accommodation for detainees before operating five return flights daily.
Yusuf also emphasized the need to protect British culture, proposing new regulations to prevent churches from being converted into mosques.
Additionally, he expressed support for banning face coverings such as the burka.
Press Conference in Dover
Speaking at a press conference in Dover alongside party leader Nigel Farage, Yusuf described the situation as an "invasion" by migrants, asserting that "the patience of the British people is now exhausted."
He referred to nearly 200,000 migrants who arrived by small boat over the past eight years as "an invasion," comparing the numbers to those who "stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day."
"A Reform government will launch an emergency programme to track down, detain and deport all illegal migrants in the UK,"
"We will embark on mass deportations using chartered flights with five departures every single day.
To guarantee success an RAF plane will be on standby in the event of mechanical issues. These flights will not be delayed."
Financial Aspects of the Deportation Programme
Earlier on BBC Breakfast, Yusuf stated that Reform UK had "modelled a total of £2bn a year for this programme."
"That's a fraction of the amount the British people spend on just accommodation for illegal migrants in this country,"
"It's going to pay for itself many, many times over."
He also addressed challenges with countries like Pakistan refusing to accept deported citizens, suggesting that visa rights could be denied to such countries.
Yusuf highlighted that Pakistan had the "highest overstay rates of any country," yet had "routinely refused" to accept these citizens back from the UK.
"In order that we issue visas I think it's very, very reasonable that we say you should take back the citizens of your country that have overstayed in our country and are here illegally and are a drain, in many cases, on resources in this country."
Government Policies and Cultural Protection
The Labour government has announced measures to restrict asylum claims from individuals who arrived in the UK on student visas.
Yusuf called for new laws to prevent churches from being converted into mosques or other places of worship, citing the importance of protecting British culture.
When asked about his stance on a burka ban during the press conference, Yusuf expressed support for banning "all face coverings in public," marking a change from his previous position when he briefly left the party last year and described a question about a burka ban as "dumb."
"I personally support a ban on all face coverings in public... that's actually a piece of legislation that has multiple bonuses to it because it's going to aid integration, it's also going to help people feel safe."
Welfare and Visa Policies
On BBC Politics Live, Yusuf elaborated on plans to ringfence welfare payments for British citizens, stating,
"We've got to put the British people first."
He criticized the current spending, saying,
"It is totally ridiculous the British spent £15bn on universal credit payments over the last 18 months alone."
Responses from Other Politicians
Labour MP Catherine Atkinson defended her party's policies on the same programme, stating,
"It's because we're saying there will be action on visas if you don't accept returns that we are seeing a fall in numbers.
We're already bringing down the backlog, and we've recouped £70m in wasteful contracts for asylum hotels."
Conservative MP Andrew Bowie noted that Tory policy already includes leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), adding,
"I agree with Zia that we need to take action this."
for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
