UK borders not ready for Brexit, warn MPS
THE UK’S borders are not ready for Brexit and a lack of time to prepare could lead to immigration backlogs, MPS have warned.
A report by the select committee of home affairs has raised concerns about the border force, which it says is already stretched because of “inadequate resources” and will be under more pressure because of new immigration checks for EU nationals and customs changes.
It warns that additional pressure on staff could lead to a collapse, undermining faith in the system.
The report comes amid growing concern about how the Home Office is going to cope with Brexit, after critics said the department has a poor track record implementing new IT systems on time and on budget.
There have also been claims that the border force is understaffed and that new recruits will only cover those who have already left, not add to the workforce in time for the UK’S departure from the union.
The report, published today, said a delay in publishing a White Paper on
‘This is a system which has not functioned properly for years, in large part due to insufficient funding’
the Government’s immigration policy after Brexit is causing concern for millions of EU citizens already living here and called for ministers to set out a plan urgently.
It warned: “The Home Office has failed to convince us that UK Visas and Immigration will have the necessary resources to manage the huge challenge of Brexit. We do not believe sufficient staff and systems are yet in place to operate a smooth and effective registration system for EU citizens currently resident here.”
It added: “We are increasingly alarmed about the impact that inadequate resources are having on the capacity for Border Force to operate effectively. This is a system which has not functioned properly for a number of years, in large part due to insufficient staffing. The consequences of a lack of resources have implications for the smooth operation of the border, the morale and well-being of staff, and the quality of front-line immigration services.”
The paper also urged the Government to be “realistic” about the lack of time left to make substantial changes to arrangements before March next year, adding: “Rushed and under-resourced changes will put border security at risk.”