Tag: Home Office

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 October 2025.

Under the landmark UK-France migration deal, the first groups of small boats arrivals to the UK have been successfully removed on flights to France.

The first group removals of small boat migrants under the UK’s landmark migration treaty with France have now taken place, marking another momentous step in the government’s efforts to dismantle the criminal networks profiting from human misery.

The UK-France treaty grants the UK decisive new powers to detain and rapidly remove individuals who enter illegally via small boats, blocking access to the UK asylum system.

Over the past week, 2 group flights saw 19 individuals returned to France, following the successful returns of an additional 7 individuals in the last month. The second group flight arrived in France earlier today before continuing its journey to Eastern Europe as part of the government’s regular schedule of returns flights.

Further flights to France under this pilot scheme are scheduled to take place over the coming days and weeks.

In addition, the UK government continues to work with France to operate a tightly controlled legal route for an equal number of eligible migrants to come to the UK, subject to rigorous security checks. Nine arrivals entered the UK this week through this route.

This pilot scheme will continue to be ramped up, with both countries having committed to continuously improving the process of this innovative approach.

The Home Office today has released content from the first group flight last week, including footage of migrants boarding and the aircraft departing.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:

We must put an end to these dangerous crossings which put lives at risk and money in the pockets of criminal gangs.

The contrast couldn’t be clearer. The last government’s Rwanda scheme took years and cost hundreds of millions of pounds, and failed to forcefully remove a single person. In a matter of weeks, we’ve returned 26 through our historic agreement with France.

With flights to France now underway and ramping up, we are sending out a clear message: if you come here illegally, you face being detained and removed, so think twice before making that journey.

On top of this work, enforcement activity continues to be ramped up, with the National Crime Agency carrying out over 350 disruptions against people-smuggling networks last year – a 40% increase on the previous year.

Over 35,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK have been returned, with asylum-related returns up 28% year-on-year.

The Home Office is now issuing over 31,000 initial asylum decisions every quarter – triple the average under the previous government.

This co-ordinated approach – combining decisive enforcement action, international cooperation, and controlled routes – demonstrates the government’s comprehensive Plan for Change to strengthen our borders while upholding our humanitarian obligations and dismantling the criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 October 2025.

Following a successful pre-appointment scrutiny by the Home Affairs Select Committee earlier this year, the Home Secretary has approved the appointment.

John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner, has been appointed as the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration and will assume the role immediately.

The government is in the process of recruiting a new Immigration Services Commissioner, which will be confirmed shortly. While this recruitment process concludes, immigration advice will continue to be provided by registered organisations and advisers regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).

John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner, said:

It has been an incredible five years leading the IAA through both challenges and change. I am immensely proud to have supported our dedicated staff in transforming the IAA into the organisation it is today – one that remains committed to protecting advice seekers upholding the highest standards across the immigration advice sector.

Heather Laing, Chief Executive, said:

We are deeply grateful for John’s leadership and dedication over the past five years, guiding the IAA through significant transformation. On behalf of the organisation, I want to thank him for his commitment and wish him the very best for the future. As we move forward, I look forward to building on this foundation and continuing to strengthen the IAA’s vital work.

John joined the IAA in 2019, having worked in senior leadership roles across multiple regulatory and governmental bodies. With a wealth of experience in public service, he guided the IAA, formerly the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, through a period of significant transformation. Under his leadership, the organisation strengthened its role in protecting advice seekers and promoting best practice across the immigration advice sector. His dedication to integrity, accountability, and organisational development has left a lasting impact, shaping the IAA into the organisation it is today.

To ensure continuity for the IAA, John will continue to serve as Immigration Services Commissioner for a short period on a part-time basis while the process for his successor is finalised.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 October 2025.

The Home Secretary has today announced John Tuckett’s appointment as Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI).

The Home Secretary has today (7 October) announced John Tuckett’s appointment as Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI).

This follows successful pre-appointment scrutiny by the Home Affairs Select Committee earlier this year. He will replace David Bolt who has been serving as interim ICIBI since June 2024.

Mr Tuckett joins from his previous position as Immigration Services Commissioner, which he has held since July 2019, and brings more than 30 years of experience to the role.  

Following a career as a Royal Navy submarine commander, Mr Tuckett moved into senior Home Office positions where he successfully led the merger of Prison and Probation Services

He also served as Chief Executive of the Marine Management Organisation and has led major organisational change programmes across multiple government departments.

The ICIBI plays a vital role in independently monitoring and reporting on the efficiency and effectiveness of the UK’s border, immigration and citizenship system, making recommendations directly to the Home Secretary. The role will be conducted from the UK full time.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp said: 

John Tuckett brings exceptional experience in public service leadership and organisational transformation, which will be invaluable as we secure Britain’s borders and reform our immigration system.

I would like to thank David Bolt for all his hard work during his time as interim Independent Chief Inspector.

Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, John Tuckett, said:

I am delighted and privileged to be taking up this important role and committed to providing robust, independent scrutiny of the UK’s border security and immigration processes. 

My priority will be to help ensure the immigration system works efficiently and effectively while upholding the highest standards of fairness and security.

This appointment forms part of the government’s Plan for Change, which includes major reforms to streamline the immigration system and strengthen borders while maintaining robust security checks.

The government is in the process of recruiting a new Immigration Services Commissioner who will be confirmed shortly.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 6 October 2025.

Journalists now have a dedicated point of contact in every police force in the UK to get support when faced with abuse and threats of violence.

• New agreement to bolster reporter safety as part of the Government’s National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists
• Plans to promote media freedom and protect press from harassment

Journalists across the country are being urged to make use of newly established dedicated contacts within every police force in the latest measure by the Government to promote media freedom and protect journalists.

Every police force in the UK now has a Journalist Safety Liaison Officer, as part of a strengthened partnership between the media, policing and Government to improve their safety.

Journalists routinely risk their personal safety while reporting from protests, crime scenes, and other volatile environments. Their presence on the ground is essential for challenging misinformation and highlighting issues that matter to communities across the UK. Yet in recent years, they’ve increasingly become targets – both online and on the ground.

Media Minister Ian Murray said:

Too often, journalists are put in harm’s way while fulfilling their vital role of delivering accurate news to the public. 

It is only right that they feel supported and protected so they can focus on carrying out their jobs to the highest standard.

By appointing Journalist Safety Liaison Officers in every police force, I hope reporters will feel reassured knowing they have a direct point of contact if issues arise.

In recognition of the potential dangers journalists face, the Government and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) have stepped up work over the past year to appoint Journalist Safety Liaison Officers (JSLOs).

In addition to those that already exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland, there is now an officer in all 43 forces in England and Wales, as well as one for the British Transport Police and Counter Terror Policing.

The officers will provide journalists and media employers with a single point of contact and provide practical support in response to abuse or intimidation. This includes safety guidance ahead of high-risk assignments, such as protests, and ensures crimes against journalists are consistently recorded and addressed.

The appointment of JSLOs is part of the Government’s National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists, which aims to ensure journalists can carry out their role in informing the public and holding those in power to account. 

It also aligns with Government plans for a Local Media Strategy to support local journalism. Resources are stretched in many local newsrooms across the country, and through the Strategy ministers want to make it easier for journalists to cover the issues that matter to local communities, conduct investigative journalism and report without fear or favour.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, who co-chairs the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists, said:

I know first-hand what it feels like to be on the receiving end of threats and intimidation. But I also know my experience is not unique – too many people who put themselves in the public eye to do their jobs face the same.

My broader work on safeguarding has shown me how important it is to protect those who speak out, and that must include journalists. Their work underpins our democracy and they must be able to do it free from fear.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for media and communications, Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, said:

Policing takes the safety of journalists extremely seriously, and this initiative demonstrates our commitment to protecting those who play a vital role in our democracy.

The National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists has brought together partners across policing, government, and the media to tackle the threats journalists face.

Policing is proud to support this work, and we will continue to play our part in ensuring that journalists are protected and empowered to do their jobs without fear or intimidation.

The list of JSLOs is available to all journalists (including freelance journalists) and employers on request and has been circulated by the NPCC. Contact details for the relevant JSLOs can be found by contacting The Society of Editors, the News Media Association or The National Union of Journalists.

Additional quotes:

Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, said:

Improving communication and collaboration between the police and journalists is a vital step in ending impunity for crimes against journalists and the appointment of journalist safety officers across all UK forces sends a strong message to the perpetrators of this abuse. 

Robust, independent journalism strengthens democracy and the safety and ability of journalists to report, without fear or favour, should be of paramount importance to anyone who values a free press and its ability to hold power to account.

News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith said:

Journalists have a crucial role in reporting the stories that matter but, sadly, increasingly, they face an array of threats and intimidation designed to silence reporting.

This is completely unacceptable and those responsible should be held fully accountable for their actions.

The NMA strongly supports the aims of the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists. The new list of Journalist Safety Liaison Officers is a very welcome initiative which will facilitate support for journalists who find themselves on the receiving end of threats and direct intimidation.

Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, said:

The introduction of JSLOs within police forces across the UK will be welcomed by journalists as important progress in the government’s ongoing work on the safety of journalists.

No journalist should ever face threats or abuse as part of their role, and ensuring designated contacts to approach serves as a crucial milestone in providing practical, vital support to journalists when needed most.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 5 October 2025.

Police forces will be authorised to consider the ‘cumulative impact’ of protests, assessing previous activity when deciding to impose limits on protesters.

Police forces will be granted new powers to put conditions on repeat protests as the Home Secretary orders a fresh look at how protests are policed and organised. 

The new powers, which will be brought forward as soon as possible, will allow senior officers to consider the ‘cumulative impact’ of previous protest activity.   

If a protest has taken place at the same site for weeks on end, and caused repeated disorder, the police will have the authority to, for example, instruct organisers to hold the event somewhere else. Anyone who breaches the conditions will risk arrest and prosecution.  

The Home Secretary will also review existing legislation to ensure that powers are sufficient and being consistently applied. This will include powers to ban protests outright, and will also include provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:  

The right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country. However, this freedom must be balanced with the freedom of their neighbours to live their lives without fear.

Large, repeated protests can leave sections of our country, particularly religious communities, feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes. This has been particularly evident in relation to the considerable fear within the Jewish community, which has been expressed to me on many occasions in these recent difficult days.

These changes mark an important step in ensuring we protect the right to protest while ensuring all feel safe in this country.

The government will make the improvements by amending sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 to explicitly allow the police to take account of the cumulative impact of frequent protests on local areas in order to impose conditions on public processions and assemblies. 

Further details will be set out in due course.  

Policing Minister Sarah Jones visited Lambeth police HQ yesterday to see the Metropolitan Police’s response to yesterday’s protests where almost 500 were arrested. Most of those arrests were made for supporting the proscribed group, Palestine Action. 

The minister spoke to Metropolitan Police leaders on the challenges of the protests and how new technology like live facial recognition could help in the future.  

The Home Secretary will also write to chief constables today, thanking them for their swift and professional response following Thursday’s terrible attack and at protests across the country. She will encourage them to use the full range of powers available to them to prevent and respond to public disorder.

Following the Yom Kippur terrorist attack in Manchester, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed has written to local authorities encouraging them to use their existing resources and powers to ensure Jewish communities are protected in the coming days and weeks, including limiting protest activity as much as possible.   

All police forces in England and Wales are working with the Community Security Trust to reassure and offer additional support to the 538 different synagogues and Jewish community sites across the country. 

Today’s announcement builds on measures already in the Crime and Policing Bill going through Parliament to support the policing of protests:   

• banning the possession of fireworks, flares and other pyrotechnics at protests
• criminalising the climbing of specified war memorials, making it clear that such disrespectful behaviour is unacceptable
• banning the use of face coverings to conceal a person’s identity at protests designated by the police

The press release issued by the Home Office on 3 October 2025.

Police across England and Wales will be able to equip themselves with new and improved taser devices to help protect the public and themselves from dangerous criminals.   

Axon’s Taser 10 model is more effective than previous devices, being able to fire at greater distances, with better handling and improved safety mechanisms to reduce the risk of injury to both members of the public and police officers. The device can fire up to 10 single probes and the officer can determine where each individual probe is fired, unlike previous devices.  

The device also provides an auditory warning, if activated by the officer before firing, alerting the public and serving as a deterrent to offenders.  

The device has been subject to rigorous scrutiny, independent testing and medical assessments, with trials carried out by the College of Policing to ensure that the device is fit for purpose and can be deployed safely, accurately and with confidence.   

The introduction of the Taser 10 comes after the Home Office, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and the College of Policing worked together to assess the new model. A joint implementation plan between NPCC and College of Policing has also been developed to ensure forces are supported with training, guidance, and operational readiness.  

Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:  

Police officers up and down the country are at their best when diffusing stressful, and often dangerous, situations, but their safety, and the safety of the communities they serve is paramount. 

The new Taser 10 offers a safer option for officers who find themselves in those dangerous situations. 

This new device, backed by robust testing, will help our police forces and properly trained officers tackle crime more effectively while maintaining public trust and accountability, which is crucial to our Plan for Change.

Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi, national policing lead for less-lethal weapons, said:

We are proud to operate a predominantly unarmed police service built on public consent, where officers resolve most incidents safely without force, and we continue to see a consistent decline in Taser discharges.  

Taser provides vital support in high-risk, fast-moving situations. Officers who volunteer to carry Taser are highly trained, and in 92% of cases, its presence alone defuses danger swiftly and safely.  

Accountability is paramount, and the new Taser 10 model enhances oversight and prioritises de-escalation, reinforcing our focus on public safety and trust.

The device is now available for purchase by forces, and it will be for individual forces to train officers and authorise deployments with the Taser 10.

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said:     

Taser 10 is an invaluable tool, and it is policing’s responsibility to make sure it is used wisely and effectively.     

Our updated guidance was developed in consultation with experts and tested in real-world scenarios. The effective use of Taser 10 is about improving the safety of our police officers and fulfilling our duty to protect the public from harm, whilst using the minimum amount of force. It’s also about trust, as the public rightly expects police powers are used with care and accountability.     

The College of Policing’s new guidance and training will ensure officers are not only prepared to the highest possible standards, but also that those standards are transparent. This will help build public trust and confidence and ensure officers are held to the high professional standards the service is proud to uphold. 

Alex Lowe, UK and Ireland Regional Director at Axon, said:   

We welcome the government’s approval of Taser 10 and its ongoing commitment to giving officers the tools they need to protect themselves and the public.  

Taser 10 – supported by immersive VR (virtual reality) training – is a vital part of the technology toolkit alongside body-worn video and real-time digital evidence management that will help police deliver on the government’s Safer Streets mission.  

Axon has been a proud partner to UK policing for over 20 years, and Taser 10 is just one example of the innovative, integrated solutions we provide. We look forward to deepening that partnership in the years ahead.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 23 September 2025.

Border Force has seized £72 million worth of cocaine following a tense operation that risked a huge compensation bill had their search proved unsuccessful.

Criminal gangs had hidden more than one tonne of deadly drugs from South America inside two industrial generators valued at £720,000.

The seizure, which took place at London Gateway, shows how organised crime groups are using ever more sophisticated methods to evade detection.

Smugglers would have known Border Force faced paying out hundreds of thousands of pounds had they damaged the combined 40 tonnes of equipment without detecting anything.

Despite these increasingly common tactics, experienced officers acted on strong intelligence to strike a significant blow against the criminal networks.

Home Office Minister Mike Tapp said:

Vile drug smugglers thought the threat of a huge damages bill would scare Border Force off intercepting this deadly cocaine haul.

Our first-class officers were one step ahead, using their experience and nous to cost criminal gangs £72 million.

Under our Plan for Change, we continue to work with international partners to secure our borders and prevent dangerous drugs from inflicting misery on our streets.

Following Border Force’s seizure earlier this year, the National Crime Agency investigated the case and a suspect has since been charged. 

The prosecution comes as cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023 and is just one recent example of criminals using fear of financial sanctions to deter law enforcement.

On 29 August, a shipment of highly valuable solar water heaters weighing over a tonne arrived from Mexico. Upon inspection officers seized over 100kg of methamphetamine with a street value of £8 million. Drugs have also been found hidden in crane arms.

Despite the smuggling gangs’ new tactics, Border Force is set for another record-breaking year for cocaine seizures – with officers using intelligence and technology more than ever.

In June, officers seized 2.4 tonnes of cocaine worth £100 million from a vessel travelling from South America. This was the sixth largest detection on record.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 September 2025.

Countries that refuse to accept returns of individuals in the UK unlawfully could see the number of visas they are granted cut.

The UK could cut the number of visas granted to countries that delay or refuse returns of individuals with no right to remain in the UK.

In her first major engagement in post, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reached an agreement with her counterparts from the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – collectively known as the Five Eyes – to help boost the return of individuals who have no legal basis to remain in any of the partner countries.

The agreement establishes clear obligations for countries to accept the return of individuals who have no legal right to remain, aiming to build international consensus and accelerate the removal process. 

It recognises the need for accountability and commits to tackling prolonged delays, refusals to issue travel documents, and limited engagement through firm action.

In cases where non-cooperative countries are unwilling to accept the enforced repatriation of their own nationals, this could lead to new measures, including appropriate adjustments to visa arrangements to reflect changes in immigration risk.

The joint statement takes immediate effect and reinforces the UK government’s commitment to strengthening the returns process.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:  

Abuse of our immigration system is a serious threat to public safety – and it is one we are confronting alongside our closest allies.

This announcement sends a clear message to anyone seeking to undermine our border security. If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, we will deport you. If countries refuse to take their citizens back, we will take action.

The reset of relationships with our international partners under this government, as part of the Plan for Change, is bearing fruit, with returns and disruption of criminal networks up since July last year. Now, we must go further.

Marking a renewed commitment to pool resources and strengthen joint operational frameworks, the Five Eyes also agreed to address the continued use of online platforms by migrants during their journeys, by exploring opportunities for coordinated operational measures against online threats that facilitate organised immigration crime.

Analysis shows that approximately 80% of migrants arriving via small boat report using social media during their journey to the UK, which could include responding to adverts for illegal journeys and communicating with smuggling gangs.

Spearheaded by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), this action aims to detect, disrupt, and deter individuals who facilitate people smuggling through advertising or act as agents for organised smuggling networks.

Since December 2021, the NCA has identified and removed over 23,000 posts, pages or accounts promoting organised immigration crime across online platforms, with more than 8,000 taken down in the past year alone – a 40% increase compared to the previous year. 

Today’s agreements build on measures successfully delivered by the government in its first year, including the removal of over 35,000 individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK, nearly trebling the ‘Deport Now, Appeal Later’ scheme to cover 23 countries, strengthening existing returns arrangements, and securing new returns processes – including landmark agreements with France and Iraq.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 September 2025.

UK government launches campaign to raise awareness of EU’s Entry/Exit System.

British travellers are being advised to prepare for incoming EU border checks as the government today launches a new awareness campaign around the changes.

Messages advising the British public about the introduction of new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks at the EU border will be shared across government social media channels, by transport operators and on travel websites. Up to date information can also be found on GOV.UK and FCDO’s Travel Aware pages.

From 12 October 2025, the EU will introduce EES for UK and non-EU nationals, travelling for a short stay. EES is an automated system that will require travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken.

EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.

British travellers will need to register on their first visit to a participating country after EES is introduced. This registration is valid for a rolling 3-year period or until the passport expires. Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules. All travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.

On exit, and for subsequent entries and exits to or from a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either their fingerprints or a photograph at the border.

European countries using EES will phase this new system in over 6 months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. This should allow for a gradual implementation that minimises disruption, particularly at peak periods.

For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.

Last year, the government provided these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5 million of funding to support the introduction of border infrastructure. While EES is an EU system, the government have been working closely with the travel industry, ports and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes.

A government spokesperson said:

While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are in constant and close dialogue with our European partners to try and minimise the impact on the British public.​

While we have done everything we can to ensure the required infrastructure is in place, anyone who is planning a trip to the European mainland once these checks are introduced will still need to allow more time for their journey as the new EU systems bed in.

The EU has introduced EES to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping them to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control.

British citizens covered by Withdrawal Agreement residence documents and UK-EU dual citizens using their EU passports will be exempt from the new requirements.

Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and EES registration is free. EES checks will take place upon arrival at the EU border and may take slightly longer than previous border checks.

Whilst checks should only take 1-2 minutes for each person, they may lead to longer wait times at border control upon arrival in the Schengen area. At the juxtaposed ports, where checks are completed in the UK, prior to departure, there may be longer waits at busy times. Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have plans in place to minimise disruption as much as possible.

The UK government has rolled out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, or do not have another valid UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK.​