Ensure Home Office staff presence and visibility in IRCs
The Home Office must ensure that its staff are regularly present and visible within each immigration removal centre.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartDetention Engagement Team expansion is underway, with further recruitment to increase Home Office staff presence in IRCs.
Progress Timeline
Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170 (15 January 2025): 'Completed and closed as of October 2024.'
Published Evidence
Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Reduced use of force incidents. Detainees report feeling safer. Good de-escalation practices observed.
View detailed findings
Based on Independent Review of Progress visit in August 2025, following up 13 concerns from August 2024 inspection. Brook House run by Serco held 192 detainees at time of visit.
Inquiry Chair Kate Eves described government response as "inadequate" and called for a "reset" with the new government. Warned abuse "becomes a question of when, not if" it happens again.
View detailed findings
In September 2024, Kate Eves told Channel 4 News she was "disappointed with what I see as an inadequate response by the former government to an important report." She noted the inquiry cost about £20 million over four years. Home Office lawyers had argued her "recommendations are not binding."