Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
The Department told us that it has high hopes for its modernisation and transformation projects.
Conclusion
The Department told us that it has high hopes for its modernisation and transformation projects. However, the NAO reported that the Department agrees funding for its transformation projects on an annual basis, and their longer-term development is therefore uncertain.64 We heard that e-visas and the introduction of its Atlas programme would provide a better grip on an individual’s immigration data. The Department claimed that Atlas would ensure that it held correct and up-to-date data on immigration cases and make these more accessible for any necessary checks.65 It told us its Business Rules programme would ensure that caseworkers were taking the right actions and improve efficiency.66 However, there have been longstanding concerns about the Department’s systems and data and numerous projects where the importance of good quality data in ensuring the effectiveness of systems was overlooked.67 We also heard that the Department hoped more automated services would allow its immigration enforcement activities to focus more on the most complex cases.68 60 Qq 71–73, 107–108 61 Qq 5–7 62 HC Committee of Public Accounts, Windrush generation and the Home Office, Eighty-second report of session 2017–19, HC 1518, 6 March 2019, p.5 63 Qq 7–8 64 C&AG’s Report, para 1.18 65 Qq 7, 8 66 Q 78 67 Q 64; HC Committee of Public Accounts, Challenges in using data across government, One hundred and eighteenth report of session 2017–19, HC 2492, 25 September 2019, p.12; HC Committee of Public Accounts, Fourth annual report of the Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, Third special report of session 2017–19, HC2370, 27 June 2019, p.13 68 Q 104 Immigration enforcement 17
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Ta rget implementation date: March 2021 2.2 The department’s priority is to ensure that the collection, use and analysis of data support the effective delivery of public safety and security outcomes. Alongside HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions and the National Health Service, the department holds some of the most significant datasets in Government. Effective use of data is therefore critical. 2.3 The department recognises that an investment in data analytics is important. As such, work is currently underway to create (and, where they already exist, expand) pockets of excellence, with an increased departmental-wide focus on data exploitation. The department’s technology investments are developing the underpinning infrastructure with a focus on accurate and high-quality data. Moving data onto modern and more resilient systems ensures that the twin priorities of keeping data secure and private and using data effectively to deliver positive outcomes can both be met. 2.4 The analytical capability within Immigration Enforcement (IE) specifically has grown significantly in recent years, with new Social Research, Operational Research and Economic Analysis teams all created to improve the analysis of data. But there is clearly more to do. 2.5 IE therefore has a comprehensive and long-term plan to transform into an organization that fully harnesses the opportunities that data provide. Whilst challenging – the plan involves the delivery of a number of technical components, the re-engineering of a number of existing work processes and an overarching cultural change in the way that IE staff approach data – the current departmental assessment is that, with the appropriate allocation and investment of resources, this plan can be fully and comprehensively delivered by 2025.