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Today we @instituteforgov publish our latest report..
We argue that the Home Office is not ready or able to manage immigration policy after Brexit.
The report looks at the brexit challenge and the problems that have plagued the immigration system.
We argue that the Home Office is not ready or able to manage immigration policy after Brexit.
The report looks at the brexit challenge and the problems that have plagued the immigration system.
The report looks at why the immigration system is seemingly lurching from crisis.
A few examples:
Ministers don’t know what they are trying to achieve. They can agree high level political rhetoric. But have failed to outline realistic objectives - for almost a decade
A few examples:
Ministers don’t know what they are trying to achieve. They can agree high level political rhetoric. But have failed to outline realistic objectives - for almost a decade
The Home Office set up means ministers literally act as a caseworker.
If a case looks sensitive - it’s goes across the politicians desks.
That doesn’t happen in the benefits system. It doesn’t happen in the tax system. And for good reason.
If a case looks sensitive - it’s goes across the politicians desks.
That doesn’t happen in the benefits system. It doesn’t happen in the tax system. And for good reason.
But despite being so close to specific decisions, there’s a massive gulf between Whitehall and the frontline in places like Croydon. Ministers have a kind of wood for the trees issue.
A big part of this is structure - HO is set up to reflect whatever the last crisis was.
A big part of this is structure - HO is set up to reflect whatever the last crisis was.
Then there is the issue of funding.
Firstly the Home Office fees are extortionate in comparison to many other countries. Why? Department wants immigration to be self funding.
But it’s a debate that’s never really been had.
Firstly the Home Office fees are extortionate in comparison to many other countries. Why? Department wants immigration to be self funding.
But it’s a debate that’s never really been had.
We also look at scrutiny of immigration rules.
Theresa May as Home Secretary managed to:
Reduce non-EU migration by 100,000, increase some fees by 500%, prevent 40% of British wage earners from bringing spouse from overseas
All without needing a vote in Parliament. Mad.
Theresa May as Home Secretary managed to:
Reduce non-EU migration by 100,000, increase some fees by 500%, prevent 40% of British wage earners from bringing spouse from overseas
All without needing a vote in Parliament. Mad.
There’s tons more in there (it’s 70 pages) but we set out a plan for how to improve the immigration system in some detail.
But finally we ask if Home Office is the right department to address these problems.
But finally we ask if Home Office is the right department to address these problems.
In short we think the answer is probably not.
Immigration changes in strategic importance without free movement.
It’s a much bigger job just scale wise.
And there’s a big public confidence issue as pointed out by @britishfuture
Immigration changes in strategic importance without free movement.
It’s a much bigger job just scale wise.
And there’s a big public confidence issue as pointed out by @britishfuture
We put the bar extremely high for any machinery of government change. But this one needs to be looked at seriously by the Cabinet Secretary.
For full details see the report: instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/m…
And you can read the excellent write ups from
@lisaocarroll @guardiannews - theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/m…
And @ashcowburn @Independent - independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
@lisaocarroll @guardiannews - theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/m…
And @ashcowburn @Independent - independent.co.uk/news/uk/politi…
