David Hanson MP, Shadow Immigration Minister, responding to the PAC select committee report on the UK Borders Agency, said:

“Once again the Home Secretary’s rhetoric on border control is not met by the reality of what’s happening on the ground – this report from the Public Accounts Committee shows that for all to see.

“Despite Theresa May’s reorganisation key issues remain and whereas the separation of the Border Force from the former UK Border Agency was supposed to strengthen its capability there is little evidence, some 18 months later, of progress.

“Of real concern is that contrary to ministers’ claims of 90% of passengers arriving being seen, only around 63% of passengers are. The report confirmed that the border force was not able to meet and check up to 90,000 private planes or private boats arriving in the UK each year, leaving the UK border vulnerable. The report also highlights vital tasks such as the examination of freight for illicit goods and checks in Calais on lorries to detect concealed illegal entrants were suspended when staff had to be re-deployed to passport control.

“This Government and Theresa May need to focus on these issues as a matter of urgency, to get a grip and put right what is obviously going wrong at our borders.”

Ends