UKBA 'still not fit for purpose'

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The home affairs select committee has said the UK Border Agency must focus on outcomes not processes if it is to hit government targets.

The coalition has said it wants to reduce immigration into the UK to "tens of thousands" annually.

However, the committee has produced a report pointing to a series of failures and challenges ahead.

403,500 of the backlog of approximately 450,000 asylum cases have now been concluded, but while only 38,000 (9 per cent) of the applicants have had their claims rejected and subsequently been removed from the UK, 161,000 (40 per cent) have been given leave to remain.

The MPs said such a large proportion being allowed to stay "amounts in effect to an amnesty, and as many as 74,500 cases are being achieved as the applicants cannot be found and it is unknown whether they are in the UK, have left the country voluntarily or are dead".

The committee also said the eBorders scheme is "significantly behind timetable", and the UKBA is pursuing £188m in damages from a previous IT contractor.

UKBA was also criticised for not systematically following up intelligence reports of possible illegal migrants.

"Though progress has been made it is clear that the UK Border Agency is still not fit for purpose," said committee chair Keith Vaz.

"While there is no doubt that individual caseworkers are dedicated and hard-working, there are serious concerns over the agency's ability to deal with cases and respond to intelligence swiftly and thoroughly.

"The government is set on reducing immigration to the tens of thousands and effectively controlling immigration.

"It will have to ensure that the UK Border Agency begins to focus on the outcome rather than the processes of their work. It is disappointing that it is still without a permanent head after five months.

"The processes need to be efficient and fair in dealing with genuine students and those filling skills shortages, but tough and uncompromising to those who seek to abuse the system and stay illegally."