Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have had indefinite detentions in the UK in each of the last five years; and what the age groups are of those people.

It is not possible to detain people indefinitely in the UK under immigration powers. To be lawful, detention must last no longer than is reasonably necessary to achieve the purpose for which it was authorised, must not be unduly prolonged and, in relation to removal, there must be a realistic prospect of removal within a reasonable period of time.