Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Deferred
Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration lacks access to commercial contracts, undermining scrutiny.
Conclusion
The work of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) provides essential scrutiny of the delivery of asylum accommodation. The work of the ICIBI does not reduce the need for systematic assurance, but in the absence of adequate oversight by the Home Office, the role of the ICIBI is crucial. The ICIBI does not have access to commercial contracts, which undermines transparency and the ability of the inspectorate to scrutinise the Home Office’s approach. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government responded by detailing its plan to close asylum hotels by the end of the Parliament, stating it has already reduced hotel use and is exploring large sites, rather than addressing the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration's access to commercial contracts.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The Department does already allow the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) appropriate access to contract information to fulfil their statutory inspection duties effectively. The ICIBI is permitted supervised access to sensitive contract information. This approach balances the need for transparency in assessing efficiency and effectiveness with the protection of commercially sensitive data. We are working closely with the new ICIBI, John Tuckett, to ensure he has access to the information required to conduct inspections and assessments of efficiency and effectiveness of the Migration and Borders System. The UK Borders Act 2007, which underpins the ICIBI’s role, does not currently provide a clear framework for access to sensitive information, nor does it specify how such information should be used or redacted. To address this, the Department is working with the ICIBI to update protocols on ways of working between the ICIBI and the Department. We will consider formalising these arrangements in the future when Parliamentary time allows so that there is a statutory basis for the sharing and use of information.
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