David Hanson MP, Labour’s Shadow Immigration Minister, responding to the NAO report on managing and removing foreign prisoners, said:

“David Cameron made a commitment to reduce the number of foreign prisoners and to deport more of them, but yet again he has failed to deliver. This report shows the Home Office is simply not doing enough to crack down on removing foreign prisoners which would save the taxpayer £70 million each year. Once again the Prime Minister has broken his promise on immigration.

“The last Labour Government made this a priority and increased the number of foreign prisoners removed. How can it be that after five years in office David Cameron’s Government are deporting over 500 fewer people than in 2010?

“Labour has warned the Government that their failure will undermine public trust in the immigration system and cost the taxpayer money. We have set out clear plans to make it easier to deport foreign criminals. It is time for the Government to rethink its approach and for David Cameron to make good on his promises.”