Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
The Department reiterated its commitment to implementing the 30 recommendations of the Windrush lessons learned...
Conclusion
The Department reiterated its commitment to implementing the 30 recommendations of the Windrush lessons learned review. We heard that it was making progress with the Windrush compensation scheme but was unwilling to set itself targets on the number of cases or amount of money it would deal with.58 It underlined its commitment to include people from non-Caribbean Commonwealth countries in the scope of its Windrush response and offered to write to us with further details of those efforts.59 The Department acknowledged that the review had been a difficult read and stated it had no intention of turning its response into a box-ticking exercise. It stressed the need to understand the scale of transformation that would be involved in delivering on these commitments, which would include setting a vision and values for the whole Department as it implements the 52 Q 84 53 Qq 50–52 54 Qq 84, 85 55 Qq 58, 84 56 Q 53 57 Qq 55–60 58 Qq 9, 11 59 Qq 65–66 16 Immigration enforcement new immigration system. However, when we took evidence in mid-July, the Department did not describe specific steps it would take in responding to the review.60
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: November 2020 6.2 The department is focused on delivering the new points-based immigration system by January 2021 with two routes, Student and Child Student, having already been launched. Preparations have been made across the entirety of the department involving operations, policy, commercial, communications, IT and legal advisers, and there is a high level of confidence that everything is in place for launch of the new system. 6.3 The department’s plans to deliver the new immigration system are subject to independent scrutiny, support and guidance by the Cabinet Office Infrastructure Projects Authority and Government Internal Audit and Assurance. 6.4 The department is building upon the success of the EUSS, which has operated with the aim of reducing the burden upon applicants. It offers three ways for applicants to prove their identity, including the innovative EU Exit Identity Document Checking App. Such innovation, along with building on best practice, streamlined processes and other technology enhancements, will form an integral part of the points-based system. 6.5 The department is committed to fulfilling its public sector equality duties under s149 of the Equality Act 2010. An overarching equality impact assessment (EIA) for the future points-based system was published in July 2020. This will continue to be iterated as new policies are developed. 6.6 The department recognises the challenge of delivering significant change while managing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the department is clear the timetable cannot be delayed, not least because the future points-based system is integral to the UK’s economic recovery from COVID- 19.