Children from asylum seeker families could be forcibly removed from the UK in handcuffs under proposals being considered by the Government as part of plans to increase deportations.
The measures form part of a consultation launched by the Home Office aimed at speeding up the removal of families whose asylum claims have been rejected.
The Government has already announced a pilot programme targeting 150 families in the asylum system — mainly those whose applications have been refused — offering financial incentives for voluntary departure.
Under the scheme, families will be offered £10,000 per person, up to a maximum of £40,000 per household, to return to their home country voluntarily.
They will have seven days to accept the offer. If they refuse, the Home Office may begin enforced removal procedures.
Officials say the financial support could help families secure accommodation, fund their children’s education or start a business after returning home.
The proposals are outlined in a consultation document titled *Family Returns: Reforming Asylum Support and Enforcing Family Returns*.
The document suggests the use of force could be permitted in some cases, including handcuffing children who resist removal.
It states that physical intervention may be necessary “to overcome noncompliance”.
“This means that the physical handling of a child as a last resort to overcome noncompliance is an unfortunate but necessary and justified intervention.”
Previous guidance allowed restraint only if necessary to protect children or others from harm, rather than to enforce deportation.
Migration campaigners have strongly criticised the proposals.
Griff Ferris, a spokesperson for Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said: “The levels of violence and dehumanisation that this government will go to to persecute migrants is frightening. We can never let this be normalised.”
Some asylum seekers have expressed fear after receiving notification emails about the policy.
One mother whose asylum application was rejected said returning home would put her family at risk.
“My home country will not be safe for me. My family’s safety is more important than money.”
The email from the Home Office warned families: “Act now to request support and avoid potential forced removal from the UK.”
A Home Office spokesperson said forced deportations would only be used when voluntary return options fail.
“A forced return will always be a last resort. But we must enforce our rules, and will return those with no right to be in this country, as long as their home country is safe to return to.”
“We are now consulting on how to do so in a humane and effective way.”
The spokesperson added that comparable legal arrangements involving children already exist in other areas of the public sector.