Labour's Immigration Returns Pledge Deemed 'Not Kept' by Full Fact
In a significant development, the UK's largest fact-checking charity, Full Fact, has rated Labour's key immigration pledge as "Not kept" after uncovering that the Government has decided against establishing a separate returns and enforcement unit. This assessment follows a freedom of information request that revealed ministers opted to enhance existing capabilities instead.
Background of the Pledge
During the 2024 election campaign, Labour made a firm commitment in its manifesto to "set up a new returns and enforcement unit, with an additional 1,000 staff, to fast-track removals to safe countries for people who have no right to stay here." This promise was part of a broader strategy to address immigration enforcement, and Full Fact has been monitoring its progress through their Government Tracker, which currently follows 92 Labour promises.
Government's Response and Decision
The Home Office's Immigration Enforcement Secretariat clarified in their response to Full Fact that the Government had "established a new returns and enforcement programme" but chose not to create a distinct unit. Instead, ministers decided to bolster existing departments, including Immigration Enforcement, Visas, Passports, Citizenship and Resettlement Services, Asylum Group, and the Border Security Command. As a result, the Home Office redeployed the equivalent of 1,000 full-time staff from across the department to focus on returns and enforcement priorities.
This decision marks a departure from initial announcements. On July 17, 2024, shortly after Labour took office, a Government press release stated that a "new returns and enforcement unit" was being set up. However, the term has largely disappeared from official communications since then, with only a brief mention in a minister's written response in March 2025.
Impact on Immigration Returns
Despite the absence of a new unit, immigration returns have seen a notable increase under the current Government. Between July 1, 2024, and January 31, 2026, there were 58,539 returns, encompassing both voluntary and enforced removals. This represents a 31% rise compared to the previous 19-month period.
Dr Mihnea Cuibus, a researcher at the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, provided insights to Full Fact, noting that increased staffing may have contributed to the uptick in returns. He stated, "Staffing has increased under the current Government and this may be one factor behind the increase in returns in 2024/25." However, he cautioned that returns were already on an upward trajectory before Labour's election, making it difficult to attribute the rise solely to enhanced resources. Dr Cuibus added, "Enforcement resources appear to matter, but we are not aware of any reason to believe that a new unit was necessary to increase returns."
Unanswered Questions and Transparency
Full Fact has sought further clarification from both the Labour Party and the Home Office regarding the rationale behind the decision not to establish a separate unit. As of now, no response has been received, leaving the exact timing and reasons for this policy shift unclear. This lack of transparency has raised questions about the Government's commitment to its manifesto promises.
Miscaptioned Video Falsely Depicts Dubai Airport 'In Flames'
In a separate incident, Full Fact has debunked a viral video circulating on social media platforms like Facebook and X, which misleadingly claims to show Dubai International Airport "up in flames." The clip, filmed from a moving vehicle, depicts a building engulfed in fire with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Origins of the Misinformation
Upon investigation, Full Fact traced the video to a Facebook post from August 2020, with a caption in Nepali that translates to "Massive fire breaks out in Ajman, Dubai." Additional clips from the same period confirm that the fire occurred at a public market in the industrial area of Ajman, United Arab Emirates, which is approximately 12 miles from Dubai International Airport. Google Street View imagery further corroborates the location, matching the road shown in the video.
Context of Actual Events
While the video is mislabeled, it is accurate that drone strikes from Iran have targeted Dubai International Airport, resulting in reported damage to aircraft and at least one fire. This context has fueled the spread of misinformation, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to a surge in false and misleading claims online. Full Fact highlights that such miscaptioned videos and AI-generated images are becoming increasingly common, necessitating vigilance among the public.
Tools to Combat Misinformation
To help individuals navigate this landscape, Full Fact offers a toolkit with practical tips for identifying bad information. This includes specific guides on spotting misleading images online, fact-checking videos, and detecting AI-generated content. As misinformation proliferates, these resources are crucial for promoting accurate information and countering the harms of deceptive claims.
