Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s (ICIBI) report entitled An inspection of the immigration system as it relates to the agricultural sector, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the comments in that report that (a) front-line Home Office compliance staff confirmed that there was a lack of follow-up, with some explaining that they were very reactive and (b) staff did not know what happened with the reports or whether the issues were reported to more senior officials.

As outlined in our acceptance of ICBI recommendations, the Department intends to form a dedicated team to monitor the operational immigration elements of the scheme. This will include introducing new guidance and training, recruitment of specialist staff, and an enhanced use of intelligence.

The Department will produce a communications and engagement roadmap which will be completed by April 2023.

We will also prepare a document setting out the roles and responsibilities of various Home Office units involved with the Seasonal Worker route. This will be completed by July 2023.