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Davies & The Home Office: A Closer Look at Misleading Claims

Telfords Labour MP Shaun Davies & The Home Office: A Closer Look at Misleading Claims



Over the weekend, Shaun Davies, Labour MP for Telford, took to social media with some rather misleading claims about "increased returns" by the Home Office. At first glance, the graphics and language used by The Home Office, and seemingly endorsed by Davies, might lead you to believe they were referring to illegal immigrants. However, a deeper dive into the figures tells a different story.


From my experience working with the Home Office on the Immigration Detention and Deportation Contract, I can confidently say that this is not about illegal immigrants, as one might assume. There's a need for clarity here, and perhaps Shaun Davies, with his seat on the Home Office Select Committee, could use his influence to uncover the truth. But let's be real—it's unlikely that will happen.


Let's break down the figures that have been made available, courtesy of Full Fact. The 16,400 figure cited refers to the total number of enforced AND voluntary returns of people without the right to remain in the UK, spanning from 5 July 2024 to 4 January 2025. Importantly, the data DOESN’T specify how many of these individuals were asylum seekers. Historical data suggests they are likely a minority.


While the Home Office proudly announced that these returns are the highest in a six-month period over the past five years, it doesn't actually represent a "record" as some suggest. In fact, between 2007 and 2017, the six-month return figures were consistently higher than those recently published. Full Fact reached out to Downing Street for clarification, but have yet to receive a response.


Digging further into the numbers, of the 16,400 returns during this period, ONLY 4,390 were enforced, meaning a significant majority—12,010 people—left the UK voluntarily. 


Remember my social media post on 8th December 2024? The one where Shaun Davies was called out for failing to tell voters the record 3 deportation flights that left the UK were people mainly from Brazil, ALL elected to go home, AND each passenger was PAID £3000 to go. 

£3000 Per Passenger


Notably, the release doesn't clarify how many of these returns involved asylum seekers or individuals who entered the country illegally, such as those crossing the Channel in small boats. The Home Office have been asked for more details, but AGAIN, no response. Are you surprised? We're not.


For additional context, data from the third quarter of 2024 shows that approximately 6% of all returns involved small boat arrivals, a DECREASE from roughly 8% the previous quarter. 


Both Shaun Davies and the Home Office appear to be using these numbers to shape public perception, yet they're not providing the FULL picture. It's crucial that these figures are interpreted accurately and transparently, and that political agendas don't cloud the truth. Let's hope for more honesty and less spin in the future.


Having worked in this field, it would be wise for Labours Shaun Davies to be very careful of what claims of success he tries to land at Labours door. I'm watching with keen interest in my other specialst field - Immigration, Detention and Deportation through The Home Office.


Mark Webster

Disability Officer

The Green Party

(Telford and Wrekin)

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