Rise in illegal immigrants sent back to home country

THE number of people in the UK illegally who are forcibly returned to their home countries has soared by almost a fifth since the election.

- David Williamson

There were 2,590 2,590 "enforced returns" between July 5 and October 28-up from 2,170 in the same period last year.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said rules governing who can live in the UK had to be "respected and enforced" and "that hasn't happened for far too long".

"We said we would increase returns for foreign national criminals and those with no right to be here and now that's exactly what we are doing.

"There have been nearly 10,000 returns since the election and we're working with other governments and law enforcement to make it happen.

"The Tories left the asylum system in a total mess, so step by step we are sorting out their chaos," she said.