The government has ordered the removal of job advertisements for activities such as balloon craft workshops at a London immigration detention centre, deeming them unnecessary. Outsourcing firm Mitie listed roles including a floristry and balloon craft tutor for the Heathrow immigration removal centre (IRC), with salaries between £31,000 and £38,000.
Home Office minister Seema Malhotra said the roles were not all necessary and instructed the Home Office to speak to Mitie to remove them. The job descriptions included providing workshops in floristry, cake decorating, and balloon craft to create a “safe, secure, stimulating, supportive and productive environment”.
Mitie defended the roles, stating they support the physical and mental wellbeing of detainees and were highlighted by inspectors for helping manage the stresses of detention. A company spokesperson noted that the impact was recognised in a recent HM Inspectorate of Prisons report into Harmondsworth.
Care minister Stephen Kinnock described the listings as an “excessive interpretation” of contractual obligations, which physically require exercise provision to prevent ill health. He welcomed Malhotra’s swift response to instruct Mitie to delete the jobs.
The Heathrow IRC, which combines Colnbrook and Harmondsworth centres, is Europe’s largest with capacity for 965 residents. Last year, inspectors labelled conditions at Harmondsworth the worst in the country.
