Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
During the evidence session, the Department failed to provide a specific answer to questions about...
Conclusion
During the evidence session, the Department failed to provide a specific answer to questions about the characteristics of the illegal population or the evidence it used to make decisions.22 We asked the Department to provide us with facts to support its claims rather than possibilities or speculation.23 For example, the NAO reported that the Department could not support its assertion that a larger number of minor disruptions could have a more lasting effect on organised crime groups than major disruptions. The Department 16 Q 78; C&AG’s Report, para 3.15 17 Qq 34, 42 18 C&AG’s Report, para 2.6 19 Q 77 20 Qq 47, 49 21 Qq 41, 42 22 Qq 34, 36, 80, 95, 97, 105 23 Q 40, 98 12 Immigration enforcement had agreed the NAO report and so it was somewhat surprising to hear the Department respond that it “did not express itself [to the NAO] as well as it could have done” on this point.24 The NAO also reported other cases where the Department could not provide solid evidence for its actions.25 We asked whether acting without adequate evidence left the Department open to the charge that it acted on prejudice. The Department responded that it was determined to act on evidence and data. It admitted its frustration at not being able to have a clearer assessment of its value for money and prioritisation decisions and expressed its wish to improve.26 Challenging assumptions within Immigration Enforcement
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2022 1.2 The Home Office (the Department) has a significant programme of work underway to enhance its understanding of the illegal population within the UK. This includes the development of a database that brings together the detailed records of every visa overstayer, failed asylum seeker and Foreign National Offender (FNO) in the UK. This database will include the level of harm presented by each of these individuals, together with their level of vulnerability, as well as more conventional demographic details. Taken together with wider transformation of its immigration enforcement capabilities this will give the department more insight, and therefore strengthen its operational effectiveness, in tackling illegal migration and the harm it causes. 1.3 The department, of course, prioritises risk to public safety in assessing harm, particularly in respect of FNOs who present a risk of recidivist offending. A key method that the department is also using to determine the level of harm caused by illegal migration is to assess the economic harm caused to the UK by their presence, in terms of the cost of labour displacement, the unlawful use of public services and enforcement activity. This economic assessment is at an advanced stage and the department is exploring publication in early 2021. 1.4 The department is currently considering options for further work with other government departments, academics and interested groups, following the discussions held with the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and other external academics reported in the report published on 21 June 2019.