National statistics

How many people are detained or returned?

Updated 22 August 2019

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Data in this section relate to the year ending June 2019 and all comparisons are with the year ending June 2018, unless indicated otherwise.

This section contains data on:

• Individuals detained in the Home Office detention estate and HM prisons solely under Immigration Act powers. The detention estate comprises immigration removal centres (IRC), short term holding facilities (STHF) and pre-departure accommodation (PDA)
• Returns of people who do not have any legal right to stay in the UK

1. Immigration detention

At the end of June 2019, there were 1,727 people held in the detention estate, 22% fewer than a year earlier.

In the year ending June 2019, 24,052 individuals entered the detention estate, 8% fewer than the previous year. This represents a fall for the fourth consecutive year to the lowest level since comparable records began in 2009.

In 2018, one person died while being held solely under immigration powers in detention, compared with 4 in 2017. This does not include those who died while being detained solely under immigration powers in prison, or after leaving detention.

In 2018, nobody absconded while being detained solely under immigration powers in detention, compared with 3 people who did so in 2017. This does not include those who absconded from prisons while detained solely under immigration powers.

Data on deaths and absconds for 2019 will be published in the Immigration Statistics release in August 2020.

Table 1: People entering, leaving and in detention under immigration powers^1,2

Year ending	Entering detention	Leaving detention	In detention2	In detention (excl. HM Prisons)
June 2015	32,053	31,649	n/a	3,418
June 2016	31,593	32,067	n/a	2,878
June 2017	27,817	27,871	n/a	2,994
June 2018	26,232	27,488	2,226	1,905
June 2019	24,052	24,467	1,727	1,433
Change: latest year	-2,180	-3,021	-499	-472
Percentage change	-8%	-11%	-22%	-25%

Sources:

Detention tables dt 01 q, dt 08 q and dt 13 q

Table notes:

1. Data from July 2017 include those entering and leaving detention through HM Prisons, as well as those held in detention in HM Prisons. Data are not directly comparable with previous years (which are denoted as n/a. See the user guide for more details.
2. Detained under Immigration powers in either the Immigration detention estate or a Prison. Data on those in detention are as at the end of June.

1.1 People entering detention

In the year ending June 2019, 24,052 individuals entered the detention estate. This is 8% fewer than the previous year and represents a fall for the fourth consecutive year to the lowest level since comparable records began in 2009. Of the 24,052, Albanian’s were the most common nationality entering detention accounting for 13% of the total (3,088). This was followed by Indian nationals (7%, or 1,773) and Pakistani nationals (6%, or 1,400).

Figure 1: People entering detention under immigration powers

Source:

Table dt 01 q (detention tables)

Chart note:

1. Prior to July 2017, those entering detention in prisons would not be counted in the entering figures until they entered the detention estate. These cases are now included when entering immigration detention in prison. This means those entering through prisons will be recorded earlier than previously, and those who were not moved from the prison to the detention estate would not previously have been counted.

1.2 Reasons for leaving detention

In the year ending June 2019, 24,467 people left the detention estate (down 11%). Of these, 3,941 (16%) were EU nationals, and 20,526 (84%) were non-EU nationals.

The proportion of people who were returned on leaving detention from the UK to their home or another country has fallen from 64% in the year ending March 2011 to 41% in year ending June 2019.

Of those leaving detention, 46% received Secretary of State (SoS) bail, 41% were returned from the UK to either their home or other country, 11% were granted bail by an Immigration Judge. The remainder will include people granted leave to enter or remain, and those leaving for other reasons.

Table 2: Top 5 nationalities returned from the UK on leaving detention in the year ending June 2019, and other reasons for leaving

Nationality	Total returned from UK on leaving detention1	Returned from UK (% of total)	Bailed (SoS)2 (% of total)	Other reason for leaving3(% of total)
Romania	1,298	95%	2%	3%
Albania	1,278	42%	46%	12%
Brazil	1,026	93%	5%	2%
Poland	603	76%	7%	17%
Lithuania	418	87%	5%	9%
Other	5,322	30%	55%	14%
Total	9,945	41%	46%	13%

Source:

Table dt 08 q (detention tables)

Table notes:

1. ‘Returned from UK on leaving detention’ includes enforced returns, voluntary returns and those refused entry at port (in the UK) who were subsequently detained and then departed the UK.
2. Detention closed reason: Bailed (Secretary of State) replaced the existing powers of Granted temporary admission/release from 15/01/2018, following the introduction of the new Immigration Bail in Schedule 10 of the Immigration Bill 2016.
3. Other reason on leaving detention includes Bailed (Immigration Judge), Granted Leave to Enter/Remain and other categories.

Of the top ten nationalities leaving detention in year ending June 2019, 85% (1,120) of Iraqi and 89% (906) of Iranian nationals were granted Secretary of State bail.

1.3 Length of detention

In the year ending June 2019, 24,467 left the detention estate (down 11%). 72% of these were detained for less than 29 days and 3% were detained for more than 6 months. The Home Office would usually only detain someone for more than 6 months if they are a foreign national offender (FNO), or if they have subsequently claimed asylum while in detention.

Figure 2: People leaving detention, by length of detention¹

Source:

Table dt 06 q (detention tables)

Chart note:

1. Data from July 2017 includes those leaving detention through HM Prisons. Data are not directly comparable with previous years. See the user guide for more details.

2. Returns

There were 8,060 enforced returns from the UK in the year ending June 2019, 26% (2,854) fewer than the previous year (10,914). This was largely accounted for by falls in:

• Enforced returns of people who were in detention prior to their return, which fell by 25% to 5,395
• Enforced returns for non-EU nationals (down 2,093 to 4,530). Enforced returns of EU nationals also fell by 761 to 3,530

Of the enforced returns in the latest period, 23% (1,830) were returns of people who had previously sought asylum. Albanian nationals had the highest number of asylum-related returns (296). (See the ‘About the Statistics’ section for the definition of asylum-related returns).

In the same period there were 13,140 voluntary returns from the UK.

The number of passengers refused entry at port and subsequently departed rose by 5% in year ending June 2019, compared with the previous year (to 19,399) and represents a rise for the seventh consecutive year. EU nationals accounted for 16% (3,090) compared to 20% a year ago (3,665).

2.1 Types of return

Figure 3: Returns by type of return¹

Source:

Returns table rt 02 q (volume 1)

Chart notes:

1. Data prior to 2014 are not directly comparable with data from 2014 onwards due to a change in the classification of returns. See the user guide for more details. Data prior to 2014 can be found in the returns table rt_02 (volume 1).
2. ‘Voluntary returns’ are subject to significant upward revision (particularly for the last 12 months, shown as crosses in the chart) as matching checks are made on travellers after departure. They include a variety of departures, including assisted voluntary returns, controlled returns and other verified returns (for example, through data matching). Provisional data are denoted with an ‘X’ in the chart.

Table 3: Returns of EU and non-EU nationals from the UK, by type of return

Type of return	Year ending June 2018	Year ending June 2019	Change	Percentage change
Enforced returns1	10,914	8,060	-2,854	-26%
EU2	4,291	3,530	-761	-18%
Non-EU	6,623	4,530	-2,093	-32%
Voluntary returns3	17,649	13,140	-	-
EU2	413	178	-	-
Non-EU	17,236	12,962	-	-
Refused entry at port who subsequently departed	18,446	19,399	+953	+5%
EU2	3,665	3,090	-575	-16%
Non-EU	14,781	16,309	1,528	+10%

Source:

Returns table rt 02q (volume 1)

Table notes:

1. ‘Enforced returns’ cover enforced removals from detention, non-detained enforced removals and other returns from detention where the Home Office will have been required to facilitate or monitor the return.
2. EU nationals may be returned for not exercising or abusing Treaty rights or for deportation on public policy grounds such as criminality.
3. ‘Voluntary returns’ are subject to significant upward revision as matching checks are made on travellers after departure. ‘Voluntary returns’ include a variety of departures, including assisted voluntary returns, controlled returns and other verified returns (for example, through data matching). Comparisons with the previous 12 months for voluntary returns have not been included as data are not comparable over time.

2.1 Nationality of those returned

The top 5 nationalities (Romania, Albania, Poland, Brazil and Lithuania) accounted for over 50% of the total enforced returns in the year ending June 2019. Albanian nationals showed the largest decrease in enforced returns compared with the year ending June 2018 (down 383) and Brazilian nationals were the only nationality in the top 5 that saw an increase (up 142).

Table 4: Top 5 nationalities² who had enforced returns¹ from the UK

Nationality	Year ending June 2018	Year ending June 2019	Change	Percentage Change
Romania	1,446	1,246	-200	-14%
Albania	1,616	1,233	-383	-24%
Poland	1,006	723	-283	-28%
Brazil	313	455	+142	+45%
Lithuania	567	435	-132	-23%
Other Nationalities	5,966	3,968	-1,998	-33%
Total	10,914	8,060	-2,854	-26%

Source:

Returns table rt 02q (volume 1)

Table note:

1. ‘Enforced returns’ cover enforced removals from detention, non-detained enforced removals and other returns from detention where the Home Office will have been required to facilitate or monitor the return.
2. Top 5 nationalities in the most recent year.

The largest number of voluntary returns were Indian (2,092) nationals followed by Chinese (1,234) and Pakistani (1,197) nationals which accounted for over one third of the total voluntary returns (13,140).

The largest number of passengers refused entry at port and subsequently departed were Brazilian nationals (1,918) followed by Romanian (1,543) and Albanian (1,403) nationals. The top three nationalities, which also feature as the top four nationalities within the enforced returns, accounted for 25% of the total number of passengers refused entry at port and subsequently departed (19,399).

2.2 Returns of Foreign National Offenders (FNOs)

In the year ending June 2019, there were 5,203 Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) returned, 11% less than the previous year (5,853). These figures are included in the total returns figures, with the majority being enforced returns.

Of the 5,203 FNOs:

• Just over two-thirds (68%) were EU nationals (3,560)
• Almost one-third (32%) were non-EU nationals (1,643)
• 10% were also known to have an overseas criminal record

Since records began in 2009, the share of FNOs being returned from the UK, including those who are known to have an overseas criminal record, have risen significantly for EU nationals, from 14% to 68% in the year ending June 2019. This reflects an increase in people being returned for not exercising or abusing Treaty rights, or deported on public policy grounds such as criminality.

3. About the statistics

3.1 Immigration detention

The statistics in this section show the number of entries into, and departures from, detention for those held solely under immigration powers. One individual may enter or leave detention multiple times in a given period and will therefore have been counted multiple times in the statistics. Statistics on foreign nationals held in prison for criminal offences are published by the Ministry of Justice in its ‘Offender Management Statistics Quarterly’.

Data on those entering detention, by place of detention, relate to the place of initial detention. An individual who moves from one part of the detention estate to another will not have been counted as entering any subsequent place of detention. The data therefore, do not show the total number of people who entered each part of the detention estate.

Data on those in detention relate to those in detention on the last day of the quarter.

Data on those leaving detention, by place of detention, relate to the place of detention immediately prior to being released. An individual who moves from one part of the detention estate to another has not been counted as leaving each part of the detention estate. The data therefore, do not show the total number of people who left each part of the detention estate.

From July 2017, data on detention of immigration detainees in prisons are included in the immigration detention figures. Previously, individuals who were detained in prison would have been recorded in the data upon entering the detention estate through an immigration removal centre (IRC), short-term holding facility (STHF) or pre-departure accommodation (PDA); now they are recorded upon entering immigration detention within prison. As a result, the length of detention of those entering prison prior to July 2017 will be recorded from the point at which they entered an IRC, STHF or PDA. Time spent in prison under immigration powers prior to entering an IRC, STHF or PDA is not included in the length of detention figures prior to July 2017.

For those entering detention from July 2017, the length of detention will include time spent in prison under immigration powers prior to entering an IRC, STHF or PDA. Data from Q3 2017 onwards are therefore not directly comparable with earlier data. Further details of these changes can be found in the user guide.

Following the introduction of the new Immigration Bail in Schedule 10 of the Immigration Bill 2016, the reason for leaving detention ‘Bailed (SoS)’ replaced the existing powers of ‘granted temporary admission/release’ from 15/01/2018, and ‘Bailed (Immigration Judge)’ replaced ‘Bailed’ to differentiate from ‘Bailed (SoS)’. See the user guide for more details of this change.

Data on the number of children entering detention is subject to change. This will be a result of further evidence of an individual’s age coming to light, such as an age assessment.

3.2 Returns

The statistics in this section show the number of returns from the UK. One individual may have been returned more than once in a given period, and if that were the case would be counted more than once in the statistics.

The Home Office seeks to return people who do not have a legal right to stay in the UK. This includes people who:

• Enter, or attempt to enter, the UK illegally (including people entering clandestinely and by means of deception on entry)
• Are subject to deportation action; for example, due to a serious criminal conviction
• Overstay their period of legal right to remain in the UK
• Breach their conditions of leave
• Have been refused asylum

The term ‘deportations’ refers to a legally-defined subset of returns, which are enforced either following a criminal conviction, or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is conducive to the public good. The published statistics refer to enforced returns which include deportations, as well as cases where a person has breached UK immigration laws and those removed under other administrative and illegal entry powers that have declined to leave voluntarily. Figures on deportations, which are a subset of enforced returns, are not separately available.

Data on voluntary returns are subject to significant upward revision, so comparisons over time should be made with caution. In some cases, individuals who have been told to leave the UK will not notify the Home Office of their departure from the UK. In such cases, it can take some time for the Home Office to become aware of such a departure and update the system. As a result, data for more recent periods will initially undercount the total number of returns. ‘Other verified returns’ are particularly affected by this.

Asylum-related returns relate to cases where there has been an asylum claim at some stage prior to the return. This will include asylum seekers whose asylum claims have been refused and who have exhausted any rights of appeal, those returned under third-country provisions, as well as those granted asylum/protection, but removed for other reasons (such as criminality).

Data on returns, and requests for transfer out of the UK under the Dublin Regulation, by article and country of transfer, are available from the Asylum data tables Dublin regulation, June 2019. Further details on the Dublin Regulation are set out in the user guide.

EU nationals may be returned for not exercising, or abusing, Treaty rights or deported on public policy grounds (such as criminality).

Eurostat publishes a range of enforcement data from EU member states. These data can be used to make international comparisons.

3.3 The Windrush Scheme

The Windrush generation refers to people from Caribbean countries who were invited by the British government between 1948 and 1971 to migrate to the UK as it faced a labour shortage due to the destruction caused by World War II. Not all of these migrants have documentation confirming their immigration status and therefore some may have been dealt with under immigration powers.

On 16 April 2018, the Home Secretary established a taskforce to ensure that members of the Windrush generation could evidence their right to be in the UK. The taskforce provide updates to the Home Affairs Select Committee on the work of the Home Office in relation to Windrush, including official figures, on a monthly basis. The updates are published on GOV.UK.

4. Data tables

Data referred to here can be found in the following tables:

• Detentions tables
• Returns tables volume 1
• Returns tables volume 2
• Returns tables volume 3
• Returns tables volume 4
• Returns tables volume 5

Data on the number of people returned from the UK from detention in detention table dt 08 q includes those who were refused entry at port in the UK who were subsequently detained and then departed the UK. Data on those returned from detention in the returns table rt 01q (volume 1) do not include those refused entry at port, and so figures will be lower.

5. Review of immigration enforcement data

The Home Office is reviewing the enforcement data that it publishes to ensure it provides a comprehensive overview of the enforcement system. In summer / autumn 2019, the Home Office will launch a public consultation to enable users to inform future developments in enforcement statistics.

We welcome your feedback

If you have any comments or suggestions for the development of this report, please provide feedback by emailing MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please include the words ‘PUBLICATION FEEDBACK’ in the subject of your email.

See section 7 of the ‘About this release’ section for more details.