Balloons, Cakes, and Deportations: The Controversial Job Ads Sparking Outrage

The UK government has abruptly pulled job advertisements for a unique teaching position at a migrant detention center that aimed to offer workshops on activities like balloon-craft and cake decorating. The decision came after Home Office minister Seema Malhotra instructed contractor Mitie to remove the ads, following criticism from Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp, who condemned the roles as an unjustified use of taxpayer money amidst the urgent need for deportations.

The controversial roles were to pay £31,585 per year for tutors to conduct various creative workshops, designed to meet residents’ needs and contractual requirements. While the government argues these positions were unnecessary and offered activities beyond the statutory requirements, Detention Action, an asylum seekers’ rights charity, defended the roles, stating that the government has a duty to support the mental health of detainees.

In the previous year, the Home Office detained thousands of individuals for extended periods, with more than 60% being released without charges, highlighting the need for reform in the detention system. Mitie, which runs the Harmondsworth and Colnbrook centers, emphasized that such activities contribute to the overall wellbeing of individuals in detention. A report by His Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons labeled the conditions at Harmondsworth as some of the worst in the country, citing rampant drug use and violence.

This incident underscores a growing debate over the treatment of those in detention and whether they should have access to creative outlets or should solely face deportation.