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Home Affairs Committee scrutinises the work of the Home Office

21 September 2021

The Home Affairs Committee examines the work of the Home Office on Wednesday 22 September when it takes evidence from Permanent Secretary, Matthew Rycroft.

Purpose of the session

Between 15 and 29 August the UK evacuated 5,000 Afghans and has pledged to resettle up to 20,000 more. This is in addition to people brought to the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy Scheme. The Committee will question the Permanent Secretary on the practical challenges the Home Office faces in meeting these commitments, including ensuring temporary and permanent housing for arrivals and wider integration support.

The Committee will also look at broader pressures in the asylum system, including responding to increasing numbers of Channel crossings and long-standing issues in the quality of asylum accommodation.

With successful claims to the Windrush Compensation Scheme still far below initial and revised estimates, the Committee will examine how effectively changes to how the scheme operates have improved outcomes for applicants. It will also examine progress in implementing wider cultural change in the Home Office, following the findings of the Williams review, and the impact of measures implemented in other departmental policies to prevent discriminatory practices.

Witnesses

Wednesday 22 September 2021

From 9.30am:

  • Matthew Rycroft CBE, Permanent Secretary
  • Patricia Hayes, Second Permanent Secretary

Further information

Image: Crown copyright