Recommendation 2

The Home Office has yet to demonstrate that it has learned from previous attempts to reform the asylum system, putting it at continued risk of repeating past failures. Recent reform efforts give us little confidence that the Home Office has learned from previous attempts to restructure the asylum system. Too often, the Home Office has pursued major policy and operational change without a realistic grip on delivery risks, costs or system-wide impacts. The consequences are visible across the system today – for example, costly missteps such as acquiring Northeye, Bibby Stockholm and Scampton, which have now largely been abandoned. Furthermore, the NAO found that of 5,000 individuals who claimed asylum in January 2023, 41% were effectively “in limbo” – they were not granted asylum and their cases were still unresolved in the system. This includes failed asylum seekers, and those whose claims have been disqualified, suspended or withdrawn. Many remain in the UK for extended periods while awaiting deportation or without a final decision. This leaves a large cohort of people stuck in the asylum system for prolonged periods, creating uncertainty for individuals and driving up support costs. At the same time, pressures elsewhere have intensified, with appeals currently taking around 60 weeks to be heard. While the government has proposed further structural reform, including a new independent appeals body, which will be introduced through a phased transition alongside the existing tribunal, departments could still not explain how the new body will be resourced, how long dual running will last or how risks during this transition will be managed. They made repeated references to reforms being “in train”, but provided little evidence of a firm grip on effective delivery. This lack of realism echoes previous failed initiatives and leaves the Home Office at continued risk of repeating the same costly mistakes. 3 recommendation The Home Office should, alongside its Treasury Minute