Seventeenth Report - Immigration enforcement

Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee HC 407 18 September 2020
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 23 items (5 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 23 of 23 classified)
Accepted 18
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 3
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Seventeenth report from Session 2019-21 · published 18 Nov 2020
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Recommendations & Conclusions

23 results
2 Recommendation Accepted
The Department relies upon a disturbingly weak evidence base to assess the impact of its...
Recommendation
The Department relies upon a disturbingly weak evidence base to assess the impact of its immigration enforcement activity. The lack of reliable evidence on what works prevents it from planning and prioritising its activities effectively. The Department accepts that it … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and has a comprehensive, long-term plan to invest in data analytics, enhance Immigration Enforcement's analytical capability, and transform it into a data-led organization by 2025, with an implementation target of March 2021.
HM Treasury
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3 Recommendation Accepted
The culture and make-up of the Department have left it poorly placed to appreciate the...
Recommendation
The culture and make-up of the Department have left it poorly placed to appreciate the impact of its policies on the people affected. The Department has done little to dispel accusations that its decisions are based on a lack of … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, committing to a new customer strategy, establishing a Young People's Board, and consulting on a Migrants' Commissioner to better incorporate user experience into the immigration system.
HM Treasury
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4 Recommendation Accepted
The Department’s failure to develop an end-to-end understanding of the immigration system leads to problems...
Recommendation
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 … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and has a five-year transformation program to deliver a more joined-up immigration system, including digitised processes, a digital identity capability, and a new customer strategy. Consideration will be given to support options for claimants, including access to legal advice.
HM Treasury
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5 Recommendation Rejected
The Department is unprepared for the challenges the UK’s exit from the EU presents to...
Recommendation
The Department is unprepared for the challenges the UK’s exit from the EU presents to its immigration enforcement operations. The Department relies on cooperation with EU partners to support its international operations, including the return of foreign national offenders and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating it is already working hard, has made preparations, and continues to make offers to the EU for future reciprocal arrangements on returns and family reunion, which remains its goal.
HM Treasury
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6 Recommendation Not Addressed
We are not convinced that the Department is sufficiently prepared to safeguard the status of...
Recommendation
We are not convinced that the Department is sufficiently prepared to safeguard the status of individuals while also implementing a new immigration system and managing its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department faces several challenges in the immediate future. … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government's response does not address the recommendation to explain its priorities for balancing risks and safeguarding individuals during immigration system changes, instead discussing the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme.
HM Treasury
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1 Conclusion Not Addressed
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Home Office (the Department) about immigration enforcement activities in the UK.1
Government Response Summary
The government's response does not address the committee's introductory statement about taking evidence from the Home Office on immigration enforcement activities, instead listing unrelated NHS and social care topics.
HM Treasury
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7 Conclusion Accepted
The Department described the different forms of harm that occur from immigration crime.
Conclusion
The Department described the different forms of harm that occur from immigration crime. These include criminal harm by foreign national offenders against their victims and society, and the harm organised crime groups commit against society and vulnerable people. It also … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to a significant programme, targeting Spring 2022, to enhance its understanding of the illegal population within the UK, including developing a comprehensive database and assessing economic harm, with publication explored for early 2021.
HM Treasury
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8 Conclusion Accepted
We asked the Department about the financial impact of providing public services to people who...
Conclusion
We asked the Department about the financial impact of providing public services to people who should not be receiving them. It could not provide a figure for this.13 We heard that the Department had no data on the harm suffered … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government is developing a database to enhance its understanding of the illegal population, including harm and vulnerability, and an economic assessment of harm caused by illegal migration is at an advanced stage, with publication explored for early 2021.
HM Treasury
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9 Conclusion Accepted
The NAO reported that Immigration Enforcement uses management information to assess the performance of individual...
Conclusion
The NAO reported that Immigration Enforcement uses management information to assess the performance of individual teams rather than the system’s overall health, and the Department accepted this finding.16 We asked whether the Department could deliver an effective immigration enforcement service … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to investing in data analytics, developing new infrastructure for high-quality data, and implementing a comprehensive long-term plan to transform Immigration Enforcement's data exploitation by 2025, with an initial target implementation date of March 2021.
HM Treasury
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10 Conclusion Accepted
We asked how the Department allocated resources across the immigration system and heard that this...
Conclusion
We asked how the Department allocated resources across the immigration system and heard that this relies upon the judgements of senior staff rather than direct evidence. The Department explained that a “dearth of information” on some immigration enforcement activities meant … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and is undertaking a significant program of work, including technology investments and a long-term plan, to enhance data analytics capabilities within Immigration Enforcement and transform into a data-led organization by 2025.
HM Treasury
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11 Conclusion Accepted
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 … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government is developing a database to enhance its understanding of the illegal population, including harm and vulnerability, and an economic assessment of harm caused by illegal migration is at an advanced stage, with publication explored for early 2021.
HM Treasury
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12 Conclusion Accepted
The Committee of Public Accounts has found previously that the Department did not use its...
Conclusion
The Committee of Public Accounts has found previously that the Department did not use its own data to fully explore the impact of its work on individuals.27 During the evidence session, we asked whether the Department considered the implications of … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government commits to using customer insight and engagement, informed by the Windrush review, including a new customer strategy, establishing a Young People's Board, and consulting on a Migrants' Commissioner, to improve understanding of individuals' experiences.
HM Treasury
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13 Conclusion Accepted
We asked the Department to account for the plummeting number of people it returns to...
Conclusion
We asked the Department to account for the plummeting number of people it returns to their countries of origin. The Department claimed that the fall in returns was because of greater compliance with immigration rules, changes to the legal framework … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to a significant programme, targeting Summer 2022, to enhance its understanding of the illegal population within the UK, including developing a comprehensive database and assessing economic harm, with publication explored for early 2021.
HM Treasury
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14 Conclusion Accepted
The NAO reported that Immigration Enforcement could make better use of its analytical functions and...
Conclusion
The NAO reported that Immigration Enforcement could make better use of its analytical functions and evaluations to improve as an organisation.34 The Department recognises the need to refresh its research and evidence base across the borders and immigration system and … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and is undertaking a significant program of work, including technology investments and a long-term plan, to enhance data analytics capabilities within Immigration Enforcement and transform into a data-led organization by 2025.
HM Treasury
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15 Conclusion Accepted
The Department accepted that the Windrush lessons learned review had come exceptionally close to declaring...
Conclusion
The Department accepted that the Windrush lessons learned review had come exceptionally close to declaring it as institutionally racist. We were pleased to hear the Department commit to implementing each of the recommendations of that report and acknowledge the need … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government commits to using customer insight and engagement, informed by the Windrush review, including a new customer strategy, establishing a Young People's Board, and consulting on a Migrants' Commissioner, to improve user experience and feedback.
HM Treasury
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16 Conclusion Accepted
We asked whether Immigration Enforcement should focus on in-country immigration enforcement rather than having to...
Conclusion
We asked whether Immigration Enforcement should focus on in-country immigration enforcement rather than having to provide support at the border. The Department responded that it sees managing immigration into the country and in- country as a single system.41 However, the … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the implied recommendation and outlines significant plans to deliver a more joined-up and end-to-end immigration system through a five-year transformation programme, including digitised processes and a digital identity capability, targeting Summer 2025.
HM Treasury
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17 Conclusion Accepted
The Department told us that it works with different parts of the public sector and...
Conclusion
The Department told us that it works with different parts of the public sector and Government, such as the Ministry of Justice, to deliver its immigration enforcement services, and that this cooperation may not appear in its performance data.46 We … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the implied recommendation and outlines significant plans to deliver a more joined-up and end-to-end immigration system through a five-year transformation programme, including digitised processes and a digital identity capability, targeting Summer 2025.
HM Treasury
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18 Conclusion Accepted
We asked what the Department could learn from its analysis of late asylum claims to...
Conclusion
We asked what the Department could learn from its analysis of late asylum claims to reduce the number of these. The NAO reported that the Department failed to complete 62% of the returns it planned from immigration detention in 2019, … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and has a five-year transformation program to deliver a more joined-up immigration system, including digitised processes, a digital identity capability, and a new customer strategy. Consideration will be given to support options for claimants, including access to legal advice.
HM Treasury
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19 Conclusion Rejected
We asked about the impact of the UK’s departure from the EU on the Department’s...
Conclusion
We asked about the impact of the UK’s departure from the EU on the Department’s immigration enforcement activities.52 The Department has teams in EU countries which support its work to prevent unlawful entry to the UK and to tackle organised … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the Committee's implicit recommendation regarding post-EU departure immigration enforcement activities, stating it is actively preparing for the end of the transition period and has made offers for future reciprocal arrangements with the EU.
HM Treasury
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20 Conclusion Rejected
The Department acknowledged that these arrangements would be part of the ongoing negotiations with the...
Conclusion
The Department acknowledged that these arrangements would be part of the ongoing negotiations with the EU.55 We asked whether Immigration Enforcement proposed to keep teams in EU airports after the transition period ended. The Department appeared unconcerned about any possible … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the Committee's implicit recommendation regarding post-EU departure immigration enforcement arrangements, stating it is actively preparing for the end of the transition period and has made offers for future reciprocal arrangements with the EU.
HM Treasury
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21 Conclusion Accepted
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 … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and aims for implementation by November 2020, explaining that the new points-based immigration system, being delivered by January 2021, is shaped by the Windrush lessons learned review and aims to improve customer understanding and oversight.
HM Treasury
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22 Conclusion Accepted
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department extended the visas of all individuals for whom it...
Conclusion
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department extended the visas of all individuals for whom it was difficult to seek visa extensions or return home. The Department told us it was unlikely to apply another blanket extension beyond the end of … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states it agrees with the (implicit) recommendation, outlining its focus on delivering the new points-based immigration system by January 2021, subject to independent scrutiny, and building on the success of the EUSS to ensure careful data handling and support.
HM Treasury
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23 Conclusion Accepted
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 … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's (implicit) recommendation, outlining a commitment to investment in data analytics, developing underpinning infrastructure for accurate data, and a long-term plan for Immigration Enforcement to transform into a data-driven organization by 2025.
HM Treasury
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