UK Accelerates Deportation of Illegal Residents

London, August 14 (KUNA) -- The United Kingdom announced on Friday the acceleration of deportation procedures for illegal residents who are not entitled to remain in the country, by reducing the processing time for their cases from 67 weeks to 24 weeks. The UK Home Office said in a statement that the decision, expected to save approximately £6.9 billion ($9.34 billion) in taxpayer funds, aims to cut waiting periods for appeals related to asylum and immigration by more than a third. It added that non-custodial foreign offenders and individuals receiving support in the fields of asylum and residence would be expected to appear before the First-tier Tribunal within 24 weeks, emphasizing that speeding up procedures would hasten the deportation of those whose appeals have been rejected and who are not entitled to stay in the UK, thereby freeing up space in accommodation facilities and reducing costs. It noted that around 150,000 appeals are still pending, pointing out that the total cost of asylum has decreased by £1 billion ($1.35 billion) since the general election in 2024. (End)