Thousands of failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals flown home on jets YOU pay for

Twenty planes were hired by the Government to deport more than 2,100 failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders between last February and July.

However, more than half were withdrawn from the flights destined for locations including Pakistan, Nigeria, Albania and Afghanistan.

GETTY
Planes are hired to deport failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders

In total 1,092 people were removed from flights, which can cost the taxpayer up to £250,000 each. One plane was used to return just a solitary Moroccan.

And in July, 70 people were removed from a flight destined for Nigeria and Ghana – leaving just 54 people on the plane.

GETTY
One plane was used to return just a solitary Moroccan

According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, only one plane left with its full complement of deportees, which included 247 foreign criminals, during the five-month period.

Figures for the most recent year available show the Home Office spent nearly £14million on flights, carrying an average of 53 passengers.

A half-empty flight is a waste of money

Keith Vaz, Home Affairs Select Committee chairman

The figures were described as “astonishing” by chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz.

He said: “A half-empty flight is a waste of money and shows a woeful lack of competence and organisation. Ministers really need to get a grip.”

Ministers insist the secret deportation flights, which do not show up on departure boards, are cost effective.