Plans are underway for a new Immigration Removal Centre near Heathrow that could cost UK taxpayers as much as £1 billion over ten years. The centre is expected to operate from 2028 to 2038 and would have space for around 1,000 detainees, according to details published by the Home Office.
Reports say about 900 people held at the centre would have access to NHS healthcare, welfare services, and educational activities such as art lessons and maths support. Leisure options like films and table tennis are also expected to be available, which has triggered strong public and political criticism over spending priorities.
The centre would be fully funded by taxpayers, and those detained could also take on small paid jobs inside the facility. These roles may include cleaning, cooking, or working at an on-site gym, with pay set at £1 per hour. Critics argue this raises questions about fairness and the real aim of the centre.
Why is the plan causing controversy? Many critics point to the cost. Figures suggest the yearly running cost could rise from £52.5 million agreed in 2017 to more than £100 million per year under the new deal. Over a decade, this would total close to £1 billion.
Although Home Office officials say the contract notice was only released to gather information from potential suppliers, the reaction has been intense. Opposition figures have accused the government of failing to control illegal migration while spending heavily on detention facilities.
Chris Philip, the Shadow Home Secretary, strongly criticised the plan, saying the government lacks the courage to remove people who arrive illegally. He argued that investing such a large sum in detention shows weak leadership rather than effective migration control.
The Home Office has defended the proposal, stating that the Heathrow centre contract will go through a competitive bidding process to ensure value for money. Officials say final decisions have not yet been made, and costs may change.
The debate comes as the UK recently reopened the Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre near Oxford. The site, closed in 2017, was refurbished for £70 million and expanded from 160 to around 400 bed spaces. While protesters opposed the reopening, the government said it would help speed up deportations of foreign offenders and irregular migrants