Brits ‘stranded overseas’ fury as ministers berated over new journey guidelines
Thirty Labour MPs, led by backbencher Imran Hussain, have written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood saying people are being forced to pay hundreds of pounds to re-enter their own country
New rules which came into force this week have sparked fury(Image: Getty)
Shambolic immigration changes have left stranded British citizens forced to pay hundreds of pounds to re-enter their own country, MPs have fumed.
A group of 30 Labour MPs has written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood voicing their anger and accusing the Home Office of “unacceptable” failures. Under regulations that came into effect on Wednesday, people coming into the UK have to present either a British passport or a certificate of entitlement – which costs £589.
The MPs, headed by Labour backbencher Imran Hussain, say some dual-national constituents travelling with their non-UK passport only found out about the change after leaving the country. As a result of poor communication, they warned, many fear not getting back to the UK for family emergencies, funerals or work commitments.
Their letter to Ms Mahmood, seen by The Mirror, says: “Constituents have told us they were unaware of the change until days before travel, or after leaving the country. This is unacceptable. British citizens who have lived, worked and paid taxes here for decades should not discover through social media or airline checks that they may be denied boarding to return home.”
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It continued: “People are being forced to pay hundreds of pounds simply to secure their right to re-enter their own country
“We have also heard from constituents facing distressing personal circumstances – including the risk of missing funerals, family emergencies, work commitments and pre-planned travel – because of administrative changes that should have been implemented more responsibly.”
Mr Hussain challenged the Government on Wednesday, warning: “The reality is that British citizens will be left stranded abroad and many will be priced out of returning home, adding them to a growing list of people who are effectively classed as second-class citizens.
“The Minister will also know that hundreds of thousands of people could be affected by these ill-thought-out, rushed reforms that lack any parliamentary scrutiny.”
Home Office minister Mike Tapp hit back at the accusation, saying: “This has been public knowledge since 2023, it has been on the Government website since 2024 and we have spent significant funds on media.
“Communication is always difficult, and if this were extended for another year there would still be people who might not know about it.”
