£40m: The price of flying illegal immigrants home

[Charlie-Horse]

£40M: THE PRICE OF FLYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HOME

TAXPAYERS are shelling out nearly £5,000 for every illegal immigrant flown out of Britain.

The cost of chartering flights to send people back to their own countries has risen five-fold since records began in 2003.

In total the Government has spent nearly £40million on the charter flight programme, official figures show.

Last year it paid out a record £10.4million on flights to send 2,144 people back.

However, with an average of just 32 immigrants on each plane, the £4,804 cost per person is equivalent to sending them all first class.

The 67 flights that left the UK last year cost £2million more than for 67 flights in 2008.

In 2005-6 the Government spent £4.3million on 83 flights but in 2002-3 it cost £1.6million for 69 flights.

Some migrants are also given cash and full board and lodging when they arrive home.

The news will horrify hard-working Britons who may face higher income tax bills next year after a blunder by officials.

And it will be especially hard to stomach for soldiers coming back from Afghanistan who have been forced to pay for seats on commercial airlines because RAF Tristars keep breaking down.

Last night a spokesman for the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “There must be a cheaper way to repatriate these people.

“As with many areas of spending, the Government really has to negotiate more competitive rates as it simply cannot afford to let these costs escalate further.”

Details of the flights were released as part of a Freedom of Information request to the UK Border Agency.

The agency also revealed how taxpayers’ money was being used to give illegals grants to set up businesses.

The Border Agency said flight costs had risen because it is having to send illegals further.

The charter flight programme initially operated just to Kosovo and Albania but now regular flights are to Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria and Jamaica.

The flights all have codenames. Iraq is called Operation Rangat, Jamaica is Waldrop, Nigeria *Majestic and Afghanistan Ravel.

A UKBA spokesman said: “In the case of enforced removals to Iraq and Afghanistan assistance is given to them. Returnees to Iraq are provided with funds on the aircraft to assist with their immediate needs upon arrival.

“They are offered financial assistance towards onward transportation to their home areas.

Assistance is also available to those who are genuinely homeless, where their first month’s *accommodation is provided for.

“The UK provides a comprehensive package of reintegration assistance to help enforced *returnees to Afghanistan.

“This consists of reception at the airport, information and advice, medical consultation, onward travel help to any destination in Afghanistan and short-term accommodation with full board.”

[Donald E. Pauly]

TAXPAYERS are shelling out nearly £5,000 for every illegal immigrant flown out of Britain.

Stop your whining and start celebrating in the pub. This is cheap at twice the price. They cost that much in 6 months time in your country. Her Majesty ought to send them off with the Royal Pipers.