𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A huge petition calling for offshire detention facilities for migrants from where they can be deported elsewhere has passed a major milestone. The online document created by former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has passed 685,000 signatures, and at the time of writing has garnered 689,995 supporters. It reads: “The Government should seek to establish offshore detention facilities for individuals who enter the UK illegally, to process them and arrange their deportation.

“The UK is facing unprecedented levels of illegal migration, particularly through small boat crossings. We believe current use of hotels and temporary accommodation is unsustainable, costly and dangerous. We believe that establishing offshore detention centres would act as a strong deterrent, prevent absconding, and allow for the swift processing and removal of those who enter illegally.

“We consider the detention and mass deportation of all illegal migrants in the UK is a necessity.”

The Home Office said in reply: “This Government is doing whatever it takes to secure our borders; though offshore detention is costly and impractical, the most sweeping asylum reforms in a generation are being introduced.

“We will do whatever it takes to secure our borders. We believe the number of small boat crossings are shameful and the British people deserve better.

“To restore order and control to our borders, on 17 November 2025, the Home Secretary announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in decades, removing incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and scaling up and easing the return of those with no right to be here.”

Officials promised that their reforms will “end the UK’s asylum ‘golden ticket’ which has drawn migrants from safe countries across Europe”.

“We are taking a new approach to refugee protection in the UK, which marks a significant change in direction away from an assumption of offering permanent protection, and towards a more basic, and temporary protection, which we call ‘core protection’ lasting only until a refugee can safely return home,” the Home Office said.

“Refugee status will become temporary, reviewed every 30 months, with a 20-year path to settlement, ensuring long-term commitment and integration.”

The deadline to sign the petition is March 12.

Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for a debate.

Mr Lowe’s petition has been waiting for 154 days for a debate date, according to Parliament’s website.