Overview

This bill proposes to give the UK government the power to exclude foreign nationals convicted of any crime in the UK, regardless of the sentence. This includes removing their right to remain in the UK and preventing re-entry.

Description

The Foreign National Offenders (Exclusion from the United Kingdom) Bill aims to strengthen the government's ability to deport foreign criminals. Key aspects include:

• Automatic Exclusion: The Secretary of State will be mandated to create regulations to exclude foreign nationals convicted of any crime punishable by imprisonment in a UK court.
• Removal and Prevention of Re-entry: The regulations will cover the removal of these individuals from the UK and measures to prevent their return.
• Overriding Existing Law: The bill explicitly overrides any conflicting provisions in existing laws, such as the European Communities Act 1972 (though this is now largely irrelevant post-Brexit).
• Parliamentary Approval: Regulations will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny via a draft laid before and approved by either House of Parliament.
• Definitions: "Foreign national" is defined as anyone not a British citizen, and "qualifying offence" includes any crime with a potential prison sentence.

Government Spending

The bill's direct impact on government spending is not explicitly stated. However, implementing the proposed measures will likely incur costs associated with increased deportation processes, legal proceedings, and border control enforcement.

Groups Affected

• Foreign Nationals Convicted of Crimes: This group will face potential deportation and exclusion from the UK, regardless of the severity of the crime.
• UK Government: Increased responsibilities and potential costs associated with implementing the bill's provisions.
• Home Office and Border Agencies: These agencies will be responsible for implementing the new regulations, potentially requiring increased staffing and resources.
• Courts: Courts will be involved in determining whether a crime meets the criteria for exclusion, adding to their workload.

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