{
  "source": "Home Office — Average cost of an Immigration Enforcement return FY 2024 to 2025 (published 9 March 2026)",
  "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/average-cost-of-an-immigration-enforcement-return-fy-2024-to-2025/",
  "financial_year": "2024/25",
  "returns": {
    "enforced": {
      "average_cost": 48800,
      "total_spend_m": 420,
      "number_of_returns": 8600,
      "note": "Represents a typical single adult case. Includes both successful and unsuccessful attempts — costs of failed attempts cannot be isolated."
    },
    "voluntary": {
      "average_cost": 4300,
      "total_spend_m": 58,
      "number_of_returns": 13700,
      "note": "Assisted Voluntary Returns programme. Includes financial support and reintegration assistance."
    }
  },
  "cost_components": [
    {"component": "Caseworking and logistics", "description": "Staff processing time, case management"},
    {"component": "Detention", "description": "Immigration removal centre costs when detention is required"},
    {"component": "Escorting", "description": "Transport within the UK and on aircraft"},
    {"component": "Flight costs", "description": "Scheduled or charter flight expenses"},
    {"component": "Voluntary Returns Payments", "description": "Financial support paid to voluntary returnees"}
  ],
  "methodology_note": "Costs are directly associated with the returns process only. Excludes prior costs such as arrests, contact management, legal proceedings, and initial detention. Port returns and verified returns excluded.",
  "budget": {
    "immigration_enforcement_resource_2023_24_m": 482,
    "source": "Home Office Annual Report 2023/24",
    "context": "Total Immigration Enforcement budget covers detection, locating, and removing unauthorised persons."
  },
  "cost_per_enforced_return_history": [
    {"year": "2022/23", "enforced_cost": 15000, "note": "Approximate — pre-official publication"},
    {"year": "2023/24", "enforced_cost": 28000, "note": "Estimate from parliamentary questions"},
    {"year": "2024/25", "enforced_cost": 48800, "note": "Official government figure"}
  ],
  "comparisons": {
    "cost_vs_voluntary_multiplier": 11.3,
    "rwanda_cost_per_person_estimate": 150000,
    "rwanda_source": "National Audit Office estimate (scheme scrapped 2024)"
  },
  "context": "At £48,800 per enforced return, the total cost of 8,243 enforced returns in 2025 was approximately £402 million. The cost of voluntary returns (£4,300 each) makes them 11x cheaper per person. The now-scrapped Rwanda scheme was estimated to cost £150,000 per person."
}