Today’s broadcast of Good Morning Britain left viewers outraged after the show was given access to film the deportation of dozens of foreign migrant criminals and the price it cost the government.
Good Morning Britain was given exclusive access to film the deportation of dozens of foreign migrant criminals(Image: ITV)
ITV viewers have been left outraged following a migrant report aired on Good Morning Britain. During Tuesday’s programme, the show was granted exclusive access to film the deportation of dozens of foreign nationals with criminal convictions.
The report revealed that a group of migrants – who had originally entered the UK legally – were being put on a flight to Romania after losing their right to remain in the country. According to the programme, all of those deported had served prison sentences in Britain for crimes ranging from theft and sexual offences to even murder.
Political editor Paul Brand explained during the segment that the removal operation involved 47 individuals and cost the government hundreds of thousands of pounds to carry out. Additionally, it was reported that each individual deported was given a prepaid bank card with up to £2,000 of public funds to help them resettle in Romania, the Express reports.
Following the broadcast, social media was filled with furious reactions from viewers who were shocked at the policy. Many questioned why convicted criminals were being handed taxpayer money as they left the UK. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “This Labour government’s deportation policy is laughable by the day giving Criminals £2000 of taxpayers money to leave!”
As a second commented: “Rewarded and given £2000 are you kidding me. The UK government are a joke on the world stage,” while a third furiously penned: “You gave these scum bags £2000 each of tax payers money. How dare you. And you got access to film and you blurred the images. What a joke.. This government needs to go.”
A fourth viewer expressed concern about the policy, commenting: “They get given 2K then when they have no money left are they going to try come back again!!!”
Another added: “Should be banned from entering the UK following their deportation if they’ve earned themselves a criminal record! No pocket money, no privileges, basic flight back to their homeland.”
Responding to the backlash, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, in her first in-depth interview since taking on the position, admitted that the footage did not present the policy in the best light.
She admitted: “Out of context, it’s not great; it doesn’t look good.”
However she defended the approach, telling ITV News: “A voluntary removal is actually cheaper for the British taxpayer. It has long been the case that we do offer financial packages as an incentive to people to drop their claims and drop the attempts they make to stay in our country, and to board a flight and leave.”
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