The Whitemoor scandal: taxpayers fork out £4m for overseas offenders says MP Steve Barclay

MP Steve Barclay has blasted the £4 million annual bill being dumped on taxpayers to keep foreign criminals behind bars at one of Britain’s most secure prisons. Barclay, who represents North East Cambridgeshire, says the shocking figures from HMP Whitemoor prove once and for all that Britain must break free from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if we’re serious about cutting costs and protecting the public.

“It’s outrageous that hardworking taxpayers are forced to fork out millions to house dangerous foreign nationals in British prisons,” Barclay said. “These criminals should be deported to serve their sentences in their own countries – not eating up resources here.”

The Whitemoor Scandal

Whitemoor, in the heart of the Fens, is one of the country’s most secure jails, housing terrorists, murderers and violent offenders. Almost every inmate is serving more than ten years, with many never set to be released.

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But according to the latest inspection, 46 of the 315 prisoners – nearly 15% – are foreign nationals. With each prisoner costing more than £86,000 a year, taxpayers are shelling out over £4 million annually just to keep these overseas offenders locked up.

Barclay says this is not only a waste of money but also deepens Britain’s prison crisis, with cells filled by offenders who should have been deported long ago.

ECHR Blocking Deportations

Under the UK Borders Act 2007, any non-EU foreign national sentenced to more than 12 months should face automatic deportation. But in reality, criminals are using the ECHR to block their removal.

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Appeals under Article 3 (inhumane treatment) and Article 8 (right to family life) are being used to keep them here – even when they pose a danger to the public.

Barclay argues that as long as Britain remains signed up to the ECHR, taxpayers will be stuck paying for these offenders instead of seeing justice done.

Barclay’s Call to Action

“Leaving the ECHR is the decisive step we need,” Barclay said. “It would cut through the legal red tape, speed up deportations, and free up prison space for those who need to be locked up here in the UK.”

He praised past efforts to expand prisoner transfer agreements but said incremental changes aren’t enough. The problem is too big, and the costs are too high.

“This is about fairness. It’s about protecting the public, relieving pressure on our prisons, and saving British taxpayers millions. It’s time to act.”

Join the Campaign

Barclay is urging people across the country to get behind his campaign to leave the ECHR and put an end to Britain footing the bill for foreign criminals. He has launched a petition.