Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faces criticism after announcing a plan aimed at easing prison overcrowding in England and Wales. The party says it would “deport all foreign nationals” from prisons and create space for serious offenders to serve full sentences. Reform’s officials also say deportations could include sending prisoners to countries such as El Salvador and Kosovo if their home states will not accept them.
Labour, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, disputes the plan and argues it offers “no serious answers” to the prisons crisis. Labour says the government is already working to deport foreign criminals and is building more prison places. The outlets also note the wider context of the prison early release scheme and its controversy, including backlash after some offenders are freed under the current rules. Some reports point to concerns that parts of the foreign-national prison population are on remand and therefore not yet convicted, which would affect eligibility under Reform’s approach.
Across coverage, there is agreement that the proposal is being framed by Reform as a way to prevent early release and manage capacity, while Labour emphasizes safety, legality, and system stability. Reports also mention that Reform intends to explore renting prison capacity abroad and to build additional “Nightingale prisons” in the UK.
