Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party and one of the key advocates of Brexit, has proposed the establishment of a separate ministry in the United Kingdom dedicated to overseeing the deportation of illegal migrants. According to him, an entire team of new staff and specialized leadership are needed to effectively tackle the ongoing migration crisis.
During a rally in the port city of Dover, often the first entry point for illegal migrants crossing the English Channel, Farage promised that if his party comes to power, it would establish the position of a Minister for Deportations. His speech was broadcast on Reform UK’s official YouTube channel.
The politician highlighted that approximately 1.2 million people are currently living illegally in the UK, a situation that, he argued, demands “common sense” and urgent action. He explained that the new ministry would operate as part of the Home Office but function as an autonomous body focused solely on the return of migrants to their countries of origin.
“We will appoint a minister; we will ensure the creation of a separate department so that this problem is finally addressed,” Farage stated.
According to British media reports, Reform UK continues to gain popularity amid growing public dissatisfaction with the current government’s immigration policies. Recent polls, including a study by More in Common, indicate that if snap elections were held, the party could secure up to 180 seats in the House of Commons — a breakthrough achievement for a relatively new political force.
A February poll conducted by YouGov showed that Reform UK, for the first time, surpassed the Labour Party in approval ratings, while Farage’s personal popularity exceeded that of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Nevertheless, in the 2023 elections, despite increased voter interest, Reform UK won only five parliamentary seats, finishing third in the vote share with 14.3%, while Labour secured an absolute majority.
The Issue of Illegal Migration in the UK
Illegal migration remains one of the most pressing topics in British public discourse. In 2024, over 36,800 illegal migrants arrived in the country via the English Channel — a 25% increase compared to the previous year. Despite active measures, the number of border crossing attempts remains high.
For comparison, in 2022, more than 45,700 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats. The cost of accommodating asylum seekers in hotels continues to rise annually, reaching millions of pounds sterling each day, fueling growing taxpayer discontent and political debates.
Against this backdrop, Farage’s proposals to establish a new ministry resonate with a portion of the British public concerned about the perceived ineffectiveness of existing structures. Experts note that implementing such an initiative would require a large-scale reform of the immigration control system and substantial financial investment.
At the same time, human rights organizations have raised concerns that such measures could lead to human rights violations and increased societal tensions.