Outgoing Inspector of Borders and Immigration questioned on state of asylum system
The Independent Chief Inspector is responsible for monitoring and reporting on the UK asylum, immigration and customs systems. David Neal has been in the post since 2021 and his term will finish in March 2024.
In this evidence session, the Committee questions David Neal on his key findings on the state of UK asylum and immigration. It looks at how the ICIBI inspection regime has operated in practice during his tenure, the impact of ICIBI reports on effecting change, and his relationship with the Home Office.
Meeting details
In 2015 the National Audit Office compared the five inspectorates in Home Affairs And Justice (HM Inspectorate of Constabulary; HM Inspectorate of Prisons; HM Inspectorate of Probation; HM Crown Prosecution Service and the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration) and identified some issues specific to certain inspectorates including the ICIBI: only ICIBI reports can be redacted by the relevant minister, and only the ICIBI is unable to publish its own reports. The Committee will ask whether reforming the powers of the ICIBI could improve the inspectorate’s independence and effectiveness.