Fury over job advert for barbers to cut hair of migrants awaiting deportation

Two barbers are being sought after to cut the hair of migrants awaiting deportation at the UK's newest removal centre. A job advert for the roles at the 400-bed Campsfield Immigration Removals Centre says the workers will provide services that "reflects the cultural needs" of the residents, with applicants capable of delivering "a range of hairdressing and barbering styles".

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the positions are "a total waste of taxpayers' money" and an "insult". Two part-time barber positions are available at the Campsfield centre in Oxfordshire which is "due to open soon", according to outsourcing giant Mitie. Labour earlier this year awarded the company an initial six-year contract worth nearly £140.7 million to run the site.

Campsfield previously shut in 2018 after issues over a number of years, including riots and escapes.

In the advert for the barbers at the site, Mitie said it is "looking for respectful, diligent and caring colleagues to join our team".

In addition to cutting hair, "supervising and coaching resident barbers to help develop their skills" is listed as one of the other main duties.

Experience of delivering relevant workshops/training is identified as a desirable skill in the candidate specification.

Responding to the job notice, Mr Philp said: "Immigration Removals Centres are for foreign criminals and illegal immigrants due to be deported. Asylum accommodation also generally houses illegal immigrants who should be removed. They should not be getting free haircuts - they should be getting kicked out.

"Many British citizens are struggling to afford basics like haircuts due to Labour's high taxes. It's an insult that Labour is squandering those hard-earned taxes on illegal immigrants."

Migrants, including asylum seekers, can be held at an Immigration Removal Centre before being deported.

They can also stay at the sites while waiting for their immigration status to be processed.

The part-time barber contracts being advertised at Campsfield are for 20-30 hours per week.

The notice did not mention the pay - however, earlier this week, it was revealed that a Mitie vacancy for a hairdresser/barber at the Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre was offering a salary of £31,595-a-year on a full-time 40 hours per week contract.

Mitie says the Campsfield site, expected to open in December, will be the UK's first 'green' Immigration Removals Centre.

It is set to solely run on renewable electricity, heat pumps and solar panels, with approximately 200 members of staff.

It is expected to have a capacity of 400, with around 160 bed spaces created in refurbished accommodation.

Earlier this year, the Government ordered adverts for staff to teach floristry and balloon craft to migrants at the Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre to be taken down.

The number of people (36,954) who have crossed the English Channel in small boats has reached a record high this year.

Labour is looking to ramp up deportations through its 'one-in, one-out' deal with France, with 75 returned so far under the scheme.

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted his approach to stopping small boats is on course, but Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the Government of being in "total chaos" over immigration.

A Mitie spokesperson told the Express: "These part-times roles are part of our contractual obligations and is standard practice in secure environments. We continue to work closely with the Home Office to ensure services provide value for money."

The Home Office was contacted for comment.