Migrants set to be deported from the UK could receive classes in balloon craft and floristry, costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds, it has been revealed. A gym manager and hairdressing and painting tutor are also wanted at the Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre, where detainees include criminals.

The revelation has prompted anger from the Conservatives, while the Home Office said it was asking for them to be removed. Minister Seema Malhotra said the department does not believe the positions are “necessary”. It comes as pressure grows on the Government over its attempts to tackle the migrant crisis, with a record number of people crossing the English Channel in small boats at this point in the year.

Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (Image: Getty)

The four roles advertised at the immigration removal centre, as well as a vocational skills tutor, cost in total £165,000-a-year, according to The Sun.

Senior Tories called for the posts to be scrapped, with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick telling the newspaper that Labour “has lost the plot”.

“They’re so addicted to providing freebies that they’re even handing them out to foreign criminals when they’re about to be chucked out the country,” he said. “It’s insane.”

The positions were posted by agency Mitie on the Government’s job website last week and remain available.

Mitie, which is required to offer recreational services to detainees as part of its multi-million-pound contract with the Home Office, said the activities help individuals “manage the stresses of detention”.

The advert for the hospitality and floristry tutor states key tasks include “proactively promote, design, and deliver workshops in relevant creative skills including floristry, cake decorating, balloon craft, (and) arts and craft activities to meet the needs of the residents”.

The full-time role has a salary of £31,585 per annum.

The ad for the painting tutor, which has the same pay, says responsibilities include leading “paint parties” at the centre.

Meanwhile, the hairdressing tutor’s main duties are “providing hair-cutting, dying hair and braiding services”, according to the ad.

The position also has a salary of £31,585-a-year, while the gym manager role is £38,873 per annum.

Mitie said: “The impact of these activities was highlighted in the recent HMIP report, which said that these provisions contributed to a greater overall focus on helping individuals to manage the stresses of detention.”