VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Detention Centres

Asked by Calum MillerLiberal DemocratHome OfficeTabled Answered 25 June 2026UIN 11830

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the occupancy rate was across the immigration detention estate in each of the last 12 months.

Answered by Alex Norris

Migration statistics are published quarterly and include data on the number of people in detention, including those detained solely under immigration powers in prisons, and those leaving detention. The latest statistics are available on gov.uk: How many people are detained under immigration powers in the UK? - GOV.UK

We continue to make full use of the current detention estate while increasing capacity to support our commitment to deliver higher levels of enforcement and returns.

Detention capacity is managed dynamically, enabling us to respond to operational demand and ensure space is available to support removals. Some beds will be unavailable at any given time due to planned and unplanned maintenance, repairs, single occupancy requirements following risk assessment, and other operational factors.

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