The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, plans to deport foreign nationals from prisons in England and Wales immediately after sentencing. This builds on new rules that allow deportation after serving 30 percent of a sentence, but the government now aims to start the process right after sentencing, Firstpost reported.

The policy excludes those serving life sentences or convicted of serious crimes like murder or terrorism. Foreign nationals make up about 12 percent of the prison population, with Albanians the largest group. Since July 2024, deportations of foreign offenders have increased by 14 percent.

The move aims to ease overcrowded prisons, cut costs, and reduce reoffending. Starmer’s tougher stance on immigration also responds to pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which advocates even stricter deportation measures, according to Firstpost.