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Following an internal report that described the Home Office as dysfunctional and detached from its core functions, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged that the department was not yet up to par. Mahmood, who recently assumed her role, expressed her commitment to rebuilding the Home Office so that it adequately serves the country. The damning report, revealed by The Times newspaper, highlighted a culture of defeatism regarding immigration and failures in addressing crime and small boats crossings.
Former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy, now a Conservative MP, conducted a two-month review of the department’s effectiveness at the behest of former Home Secretary Suella Braverman in 2022. In his assessment, Timothy noted that too much time was devoted to identity politics and social issues within the Home Office. He criticized the fragmented structures and lack of a single official overseeing the immigration system as a significant hindrance to the department’s performance.
One of the report’s main criticisms revolved around the asylum and immigration processes. Timothy pointed out that the system was lethargic, with a backlog of 166,000 asylum cases and lengthy delays in interviews. He also highlighted the reluctance of many civil servants to work in immigration due to ethical concerns or fear of being blamed for errors. Additionally, Timothy emphasized the urgent need for modern, interoperable systems to enhance decision-making within the department.
Mahmood emphasized the necessity of transforming the Home Office to ensure it effectively fulfills its duties for the country. Her commitment mirrors that of former Labour Home Secretary John Reid, who, two decades ago, sparked significant reforms within the department following concerns about the immigration system’s inadequacies. Permanent Secretary Antonia Romeo aims to elevate the Home Office to a premier department within Whitehall and attract top talent to drive its transformation
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