UK Home Office Lacks Tracking of Foreign Workers After Visa Expiry, MPs Report
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The UK Home Office has been criticized by Members of Parliament (MPs) for its failure to monitor whether foreign workers leave the country after their visas expire. According to a report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee, the government lacks a reliable system to track departures, raising concerns about immigration control and policy effectiveness.
The committee highlighted that the Home Office does not routinely check if individuals comply with visa conditions, including leaving the UK when their legal stay ends. This gap in oversight could undermine efforts to manage immigration and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
MPs urged the Home Office to implement better data-sharing mechanisms with other agencies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue & Customs, to improve tracking. The report also called for clearer policies to address potential overstaying and ensure accountability.
The Home Office responded by stating it is committed to strengthening the immigration system and is exploring technological solutions to enhance monitoring capabilities. However, critics argue that without immediate action, the issue could persist, affecting public trust in the UK's immigration framework.
