25/03/2013

MPs Critical Of Ongoing UKBA Backlog

A backlog of unresolved immigration cases are still plaguing the UK Border Agency, according to MPs.

The agency has supplied incorrect data for six years and former head Lin Homer "repeatedly misled" the Home Affairs Committee, the MPs said.

Accusations Ms Homer, now the head of Revenue and Customs, said were unfair and untrue.

"Lin Homer, who was in charge of the Agency for much of the period in question, has repeatedly misled the Committee over the size of the asylum backlog and still refuses to take responsibility for her failings," said the committee.

"It is shocking that after five years under Lin Homer's leadership an organisation that was described at the beginning of the period as being 'not fit for purpose' should have improved its performance so little.

"Given this background, we are astounded that Ms Homer has been promoted to become Chief Executive and Permanent Secretary at Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and can therefore have little confidence in her ability to lead HMRC at what is a challenging time for that organisation."

The report comes as David Cameron announces steps to restrict the rights of some immigrants to social housing.

(H)


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