A strong majority of Britons support the deportation of serious foreign offenders, even if there is a risk of torture in their home countries, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted by JL Partners, found that 81 per cent of UK adults support the removal of foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes such as rape or child sexual abuse.
Only 6 per cent said they opposed the idea. Support was broad-based across the political spectrum, with 89 per cent of Conservative voters backing the measure, followed by 85 per cent of Reform UK supporters, 80 per cent of Liberal Democrat voters, 79 per cent of Labour voters, and 72 per cent of those backing the Greens in 2024.
The poll, shared with GB News, also revealed strong support for refusing visas to countries that do not cooperate with UK deportation efforts.
JL Partners found 79 per cent of Reform UK voters supported halting visas in such cases, closely followed by 78 per cent of Conservatives. Support fell to 63 per cent among Labour voters and 53 per cent among Liberal Democrat and Green voters.
Regionally, Scotland showed the highest support for deportations at 85 per cent, ahead of the North of England (84 per cent), the South (82 per cent), and Wales (66 per cent).
The poll also highlighted a generational divide. While 65 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds favoured the deportation of foreign criminals, support rose to 92 per cent among those aged 75 and over.
The findings come as the Government considers legislation that would allow the deportation of foreign offenders after serving just 30 per cent of their prison sentence, a move expected to save millions and free up around 500 prison cells annually.
Currently, foreign nationals make up around 12 per cent of the UK prison population, with each prison place costing approximately £54,000 per year.
JL Partners director Guy Miscampbell said the polling indicates growing public frustration over legal and human rights barriers to deportation.
“Far from being an extreme position, these results show that the public, including voters of all main parties, want the Government to move further and faster in making sure that human rights laws aren’t blocking deportations,” he said.