31 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Update whistleblowing DSO with anonymous reporting mechanisms

Recommendation

The Home Office must update Detention Services Order 03/2020: Whistleblowing – The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 to require contractors that run immigration removal centres to: have a whistleblowing policy and procedure that is specific to the immigration detention environment; ensure that the whistleblowing mechanism is not limited to a hotline and allows for anonymous reporting of concerns; ensure that those who receive whistleblowing concerns have an understanding of immigration removal centres; take active steps to encourage staff to use whistleblowing processes, for reasons including those set out at paragraph 10 of Detention Services Order 03/2020; and ensure that whistleblowing concerns are investigated thoroughly by someone external to the immigration removal centre, and that the Home Office is informed of the nature of the concern and the investigation carried out. The Home Office must ensure that training about the updated guidance takes place on a regular (at least annual) basis for staff dealing with whistleblowing, as well as those responsible for managing them. The training must be subject to an assessment.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The Home Office stated that a broader complaints and whistleblowing review was underway, covering whistleblowing processes, a review of Detention Services Orders, and improving the visibility of these processes within Immigration Removal Centres (Govt response, 19 March 2024). A parliamentary question in January 2025 indicated this recommendation was "on track for closure by summer 2025" (Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170, 15 January 2025). No further public update on its completion has been identified since that date.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 18 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part Home Office
19 Mar 2024

The broader complaints and whistleblowing review covers whistleblowing processes, including review of Detention Services Orders and improving visibility of processes within IRCs.

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Progress Timeline
Parliamentary Answer
14 Jan 2025

Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170 (15 January 2025): 'On track for closure by summer 2025.'

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.

Insufficient Progress
19 Sep 2024
Brook House Inquiry Chair Other

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."

Channel 4 News interview, September 2024
Source
Report The Brook House Inquiry Report 19 Sep 2023
Responsible Bodies
Home Office Primary
Recommendation age 2.5 yrs
Last formal update 434 days ago