Nigel Farage's assertion that Reform UK's mass deportation policy would save over £100 billion has been labelled 'not remotely credible' by experts. The party plans to review all successful asylum claims from the past five years, targeting 400,000 people, and estimates savings of £14.3 billion over five years and £137 billion overall.
Jonathan Portes, economics professor at King's College London and former Cabinet Office chief economist, told The Independent the figures 'don't appear remotely credible'. The Refugee Council also criticised the plan as 'not a serious or workable plan', warning it would overwhelm the asylum system and cost taxpayers tens of billions.
Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, stated that reassessing hundreds of thousands of decisions would tie up courts for years. He noted that many affected refugees have already been recognised as fleeing danger and are contributing to the UK, working in the NHS and other sectors.
At a Westminster press conference, Farage and home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf reiterated claims of an 'invasion of Britain'. Reform has pledged to deport 188,000 illegal migrants annually using five daily removal flights, and to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
Farage also faced questions about deputy leader Richard Tice's unpaid corporation tax, reportedly almost £100,000. Farage defended Tice, blaming potential accountant errors. Labour chair Anna Turley called it a 'serious scandal', demanding Tice pay what he owes.
