Border Force 'does not have capacity' to deal with post-Brexit checks, MPs warn

The Home Affairs Select Committee warned that the UK Border Force does not have enough staff to deal with a new immigration system after Britain leaves the bloc. 

They questioned whether officials will be ready to implement two new proposed registration systems - one for EU nationals already in the UK, and another for those arriving during the two-year transition period.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said she expects to produce a white paper on a new immigration system by the end of this year, once she has received recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee in September.

But in their latest report the MPs warn of potential backlog at the border. 

“It is clear to us that Border Force does not have the capacity to deliver this and will struggle to put sufficient additional capacity and systems in place," they write.

'IMMENSE CHALLENGE'

Committee chair Yvette Cooper issued a scathing response, saying: “The Government does not seem to appreciate the immense bureaucratic challenge they are facing.

“Decisions and announcements keep being delayed. Crucial details are still lacking. There aren’t enough resources and staff in place."

“The lack of detail with just over a year to go is irresponsible,” she added. 

“Will there be one registration scheme or two? Same rules during the transition or not? Extra border checks or not? Are they planning to ask employers to check registration documents? Or landlords? Will the same rules apply for Norway and Iceland as the EU?”

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