In a bid to achieve the highest removal rates since 2018, the Labour government is reopening two immigration detention centres, despite local opposition and concerns over detainee welfare

The new Labour government is forging ahead with plans to reopen two immigration detention centres as part of a broader strategy to ramp up removals of individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the facilities, located in Campsfield House, Oxfordshire, and Haslar, Hampshire, will provide 290 additional beds in the first phase, with a long-term goal of increasing capacity to 1,000 beds.

Campsfield House, which was closed in 2019, and Haslar, shut down in 2015, were both earmarked for reopening under the previous Conservative government. In 2022, the Tories projected that reopening these centres would increase detention capacity by 1,000 beds and cost the government £339 million. Now, Labour is pushing forward with this plan as part of a renewed effort to manage the UK’s immigration and asylum system.

The reopening of these centres is aimed at achieving the highest rate of removals since the premiership of Theresa May in 2018. According to the Home Office, the government is focused on increasing the number of deportations of failed asylum seekers and others with no legal right to stay in the UK. To support this effort, staff will be redeployed to boost the rate of returns, which has declined by 40% since 2010.

However, the move has not been without controversy. Local communities have expressed strong opposition to the reopening of Campsfield House, citing a history of problems, including hunger strikes, self-harm incidents, and suicides among detainees. Critics argue that the facility was closed for a reason and question the ethics of reviving it. In response, a Home Office source emphasized that the welfare and safety of detainees are taken “very seriously” and that all removals will be conducted “with dignity and respect.”

The government’s decision to reopen the detention centres is part of a broader strategy to strengthen border security and enforce immigration rules. Labour’s election manifesto promised the creation of a new Border Security Command to tackle people-smuggling gangs, especially those facilitating dangerous Channel crossings. This initiative is being funded by reallocating resources from the scrapped Rwanda scheme, a £700 million Conservative plan that was ultimately abandoned without sending a single asylum seeker to the African nation.

In addition to the increased detention capacity, the government plans to deploy 100 new specialist intelligence officers within the National Crime Agency (NCA) to combat people-smuggling networks. This will supplement the existing 50% increase in NCA officers stationed in Europol. Furthermore, a new illegal working programme will be rolled out, targeting employers who hire individuals without legal status.

Despite these measures, questions remain about the effectiveness of the government’s approach. Junior Home Office Minister Seema Malhotra, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, was unable to provide a timeline for when these initiatives might impact the number of small boat crossings. She also did not confirm whether the funds from the abandoned Rwanda plan would suffice to cover the new measures.

The urgency of the government’s actions is underscored by recent data showing that 206 migrants crossed the English Channel in three boats on Monday, bringing the total number of crossings in 2024 to 19,294—an increase of 10% compared to the same period last year. Immigration has surged to the top of Britons’ concerns, with a recent Ipsos poll showing that it is now the most important issue for the first time since 2016.

Labour officials acknowledge the significant challenges ahead, with one source describing the Tories’ legacy on border security as a “dire inheritance.” While Yvette Cooper has vowed to “clean up the mess” left by the previous government, she also admitted that there are “no quick fixes” to the complex issue of border control.

Cooper outlined the government’s commitment to boosting border security, enforcing immigration rules, and tackling the root causes of illegal migration. “Our new Border Security Command is already gearing up, with new staff being urgently recruited and additional personnel stationed across Europe,” she said. “They will work with European enforcement agencies to dismantle the criminal smuggling gangs that undermine our border security and put lives at risk. By increasing enforcement capabilities and returns, we will establish a system that is better controlled and managed, in place of the chaos that has blighted the system for far too long.”

Analysis

Political The reopening of immigration detention centres under the Labour government signals a tough stance on border security, a move designed to appeal to voters concerned about immigration. Labour’s decision to continue a policy initiated by the previous Conservative government reflects a pragmatic approach to governance, aiming to achieve tangible results in managing the UK’s immigration challenges. However, this strategy also opens the party to criticism from both its base and human rights advocates who oppose detention as a means of immigration control. The political stakes are high, as Labour must balance the need for effective border management with its commitment to human rights and ethical governance.

Social The reopening of Campsfield House and Haslar has sparked significant social debate, particularly concerning the treatment of detainees. The history of problems at these facilities, including hunger strikes and suicides, raises serious ethical concerns about the use of detention as a tool for immigration control. The local opposition to these plans highlights the broader societal discomfort with such measures, reflecting a deep-seated tension between security and human rights. As the government moves forward with its plans, it must address these social concerns to maintain public trust and avoid exacerbating social divisions.

Racial The Labour government’s decision to reopen immigration detention centres touches on sensitive racial dynamics in the UK. Detention and deportation practices have historically disproportionately affected racial minorities, particularly those from African, Asian, and Middle Eastern backgrounds. The reactivation of these centres may revive concerns about racial profiling and discrimination within the immigration system. As Labour pursues its removal goals, it must navigate the racial implications of its policies, ensuring that enforcement measures do not perpetuate racial inequities or fuel racial tensions.

Gender Gender dynamics also play a role in the debate over immigration detention. Women in detention centres face unique vulnerabilities, including the risk of sexual harassment and abuse, which have been reported in such facilities in the past. The reopening of these centres raises questions about how the government will protect female detainees and address gender-specific needs within the detention system. Labour’s broader immigration strategy must consider these gendered impacts to ensure that its policies are not only effective but also just and humane.

Economic The economic implications of reopening immigration detention centres are significant. The £339 million cost projected by the previous Conservative government underscores the financial burden of expanding detention capacity. Labour’s continuation of this plan raises questions about the allocation of resources, particularly in light of the broader economic challenges facing the UK. The government must justify this expenditure by demonstrating that it will lead to more efficient and effective border management. Additionally, the impact on local economies, particularly in communities where these centres are located, will need to be carefully managed to avoid negative economic fallout.