Fury as illegal migrants getting free art classes and English lessons | UK | News
Illegal immigrants are given free arts and crafts classes and English lessons while they await deportation. A £260 million contract to run removal centers at Gatwick Airport stipulates that migrants must be offered these benefits, including a “welfare buddy” to help them integrate.
Gatwick’s Immigration Removal Centers also offer detainees the chance to earn £1 an hour for cleaning, catering and running the gym under an eight-year contract with utilities provider Serco. According to the documents he saw SunThe contract offers acrylic painting lessons, a board games room and IT lessons. People who manage repatriation centers are also required to hold monthly diversity and equality committee meetings and appoint a consultant to assist with these matters.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp raged at the use of taxpayers’ money, describing art classes as “nonsense” and calling for an end to “woke nonsense”.
He said: “Illegal immigrants shouldn’t be the first on the plane to take art classes. Taxpayers’ money is wasted on this nonsense.”
“The Conservatives plan to exit the European Convention on Human Rights to ensure the immediate deportation of 150,000 illegal immigrants and foreign criminals each year.
“The government should stop engaging in woke nonsense and focus on deporting those who have no right to be here.”
Removal centers at Brook House and Tinsley House have been operated by Serco since 2020 and hold people while they await deportation or while their immigration status is determined.
Foreign prisoners are also sometimes transferred there after serving part of their sentences before being sent back to their home countries.
Home Office data showed the average length of stay at Brook House was 6.7 weeks, compared to 5.1 weeks at Tinsley House.
A Home Office spokesman said: “This contract was purchased and awarded under a previous government.
“We are reviewing contracts for the provision of activities based in immigration removal centers to ensure they add value to taxpayers.”
