Illegal migrants are getting help setting up businesses, food and travel assistance as part of a \u201ctaxpayer-funded farce\u201d, a Sunday Express investigation can reveal.<\/p>\n
The Home Office is so desperate for failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals to leave voluntarily that they are being offered help launching their own companies as well as having accommodation for \u201cup to five nights\u201d in their home country.<\/p>\n
People removed to a host of countries, including Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Jamaica, can also request someone to meet them at the airport and receive help \u201cfinding and reuniting\u201d with family members.<\/p>\n
This has stirred fears Britain is seen as a a \u201csoft-touch\u201d by bankrolling \u201cluxury repatriation retreats\u201d.<\/p>\n
With Labour trying to ramp up the number of migrants leaving voluntarily, the number receiving support in their home countries is set to soar.<\/p>\n
The organisation contracted by the Government, IRARA, proudly declares it offers \u201cvisa application support\u201d services. This includes help with work visas, family visas, citizenship applications, study visas and visitor visas.<\/p>\n
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: \u201cThis shows that Labour\u2019s UK is a soft touch. Instead of frog-marching illegal immigrants onto a plane, the government is offering them special treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf being here illegally does not carry serious consequences then more and more illegal immigrants will keep coming in. If we pull out of the ECHR, we will be able to rapidly and forcibly deport all illegal immigrants without needing to offer taxpayer-funded bribes to persuade them to leave voluntarily.\u201d<\/p>\n
Government contracts, seen by the Sunday Express, reveal how the UK is funding accommodation for up to five nights in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Nigeria, Pakistan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
This can be extended for another five nights if migrants need extra help.<\/p>\n
The UK is also willing to pay for \u201conward\u201d transportation across the 10 countries and \u201cfood packs\u201d for failed asylum seekers, immigration offenders and foreign criminals booted out of Britain.<\/p>\n
Officials will also provide \u201cfamily tracing and reunification services\u201d.<\/p>\n
And migrants are being offered access to a \u201cReturnee Education and Entrepreneurship fund\u201d for \u201csupport with setting up a business\u201d or \u201csupport with accessing vocational training or further education\u201d.<\/p>\n
Failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals who agree to leave voluntarily are also being offered workshops and \u201cmentorship programmes\u201d to help them boost their skills.<\/p>\n
The scheme is carried out by IRARA, an organisation with a headquarters in Brussels.<\/p>\n
A video directed at migrants being returned from the UK declares: \u201cWhen you arrive home, you will be met by an IRARA representative, who is there to help you. Our team members can help you with any immediate support you need, this could include immediate accommodation, medical signposting or transport.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you\u2019ve been home for a short while, we will meet with you to discuss your current situation, your skills and your needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, we will develop a tailored reintegration plan. IRARA can help you apply for a job, set up a business, access training or enrol in education.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you\u2019ve created a reintegration plan that you are happy with, IRARA applies for a grant on your behalf and once it is approved, we take care of all the payments to the suppliers and vendors so you can quickly and easily get started.\u201d<\/p>\n
The organisation also works with interior departments across Europe.<\/p>\n
Reform\u2019s Lee Anderson told the Sunday Express: \u201cThis taxpayer-funded farce is an outrageous use of public cash. It is not the responsibility of the British government to bankroll luxury repatriation retreats for foreign nationals \u2013 many of which will have been deported \u2013 so they can \u2018rebuild their lives\u2019 back home.<\/p>\n