Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to develop alternatives to immigration detention on the basis of support and engagement in the community.

The Home Office is clear that in tackling immigration abuse we will use alternatives to immigration detention wherever possible. This includes community engagement by our immigration enforcement teams, and the development of the compliant environment to prevent access by illegal migrants to work, services and benefits, designed to encourage compliance and maximise voluntary returns. A Voluntary Return Service exist to support those wishing to leave the UK, and can include assistance with organising travel and reintegration support in their country of return.

Whilst detention will continue to be used to enforce returns where necessary, depriving someone of their liberty will always be subject to careful consideration and will take account of individual circumstances. Our aim is to focus on developing an immigration enforcement system founded upon compliance and less reliant upon detention.