Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has admitted that Home Office failings have left the department “not yet fit for purpose.” She pledged to overhaul staff, restructure operations, and transform the department’s culture.
The revelation follows a secret report by former Home Office adviser Nick Timothy, which exposed widespread weaknesses across the department. Mahmood said the findings were “all too familiar” to those who have worked with the Home Office in recent years.
The report highlighted a culture of defeatism in immigration enforcement. It noted that immigration officers, the police, and the criminal justice system often fail to coordinate effectively. Furthermore, officials reportedly treated high failure rates as unavoidable.
Timothy, now a Tory MP, authored the report in 2023. The Home Office kept the document secret for over two years. A legal challenge finally forced its release. He also criticised staff for spending excessive time on identity politics and internal “listening circles,” which distracted from core duties.
According to the report, these Home Office failings worsened the Channel small boats crisis. Ministers frequently struggled to implement policies due to departmental inefficiencies. The report further described the immigration system as fragmented, with multiple conflicting procedures that blocked enforcement.
Mahmood stressed that similar problems were flagged almost 20 years ago. Lord John Reid, a former Home Secretary, also labelled the department “not fit for purpose.” She argued that past governments failed to act decisively on these warnings.
In response, Mahmood said she will collaborate closely with the new permanent secretary to reform the Home Office. She emphasised that the changes will secure UK borders, strengthen law enforcement, and protect national security.
The Home Office confirmed that the report was conducted under a previous government. Nevertheless, Mahmood insisted that addressing these Home Office failings is now a top priority. She said her team is already implementing measures to improve efficiency and restore public trust.
In conclusion, the report exposes systemic problems that have long hindered the department. With Mahmood leading the reforms, the Home Office aims to become fully effective and fit for purpose.
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