Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 4
4
The Department’s failure to develop an end-to-end understanding of the immigration system leads to problems...
Conclusion
The Department’s failure to develop an end-to-end understanding of the immigration system leads to problems which it could avoid. At present, there are gaps in its digital and paper trail, and it is likely these have an impact on Immigration Enforcement’s ability to remove individuals from the UK. The Department says that there is now an “active conversation” with Ministers around improving its ability to move cases through the system. In 2019, the Department released 62% of immigration detainees it intended to remove from the UK, an increase from 56% in 2018. The Department believes this rise reflects abuse of asylum claims and other protection routes, but it did not provide any systematic analysis to support this. Given the strong passions seen on all sides of the immigration debate, a Government Department making unsupported claims of this kind risks inflaming prejudices against legitimate immigrants and bona fide asylum seekers. It did, however, accept our suggestion that direct engagement and better quality legal advice at an earlier stage may influence its ability to ensure returns are successful. Recommendation: The Department needs to develop a joined-up approach across the full end-to-end immigration system to ensure that people get the right support at the right time. It should record and assess how people move through the immigration system to understand where and how problems arise. This should include evaluating whether earlier access to good quality, affordable legal advice Immigration enforcement 7 might help to reduce the number of late claims. The Department should write to the Committee within six months of this report, setting out progress in this regard.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 4.2 The department has significant plans in place to deliver a more joined-up and end-to-end immigration system. The Borders, Immigration and Citizenship System now has a unified mission, alongside a comprehensive five-year transformation programme that seeks to deliver a modernised immigration system that focuses on the customer journey. 4.3 Digitised application processes - already live for student visas - will improve system coordination, enhance customer experience through simplified rules and remote biometric capture, and provide enhanced management information, ensuring that problems are identified and addressed early. A digital identity capability will enable customers to view and prove their immigration status easily. An integral part of the department’s modernisation programme, shaped by Wendy Williams’ Lessons Learned Review, aims to help drive greater understanding of customer needs and strengthen oversight of customer issues. As noted above, the department is reaching out to those who are affected by the immigration system through ongoing community events and the new Young People’s Board to gain insight and incorporate feedback into policy and process design. 4.4 The department is developing proposals for a fairer and firmer system that deters and prevents illegal migration; delivers more support and a speedy and efficient system for those genuinely fleeing persecution; and facilitates the swift removal of those with no right to remain in the UK. As part of these reforms, consideration will be given to a wide range of options, including the support that claimants are able to access at different points in their immigration journey.