The U.K. Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has ordered a wide-ranging, independent review of the country’s Border Force to assess its structure, powers, funding and priorities to ensure it can keep pace with rapidly evolving threats and continue to protect the border, maintain security and prevent illegal migration.
The review will be carried out by Alexander Downer as an Independent Reviewer. Mr. Downer previously served as Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs. He is currently Executive Chair at the International School for Government, King’s College London.
The first of its kind since Border Force was set up, the wide-ranging review is expected to take several months to complete. It will work to ensure the U.K. government is prepared for future challenges at the border, by identifying change and improvements needed across Border Force’s work on illegal migration, customs and national security to help keep the U.K. safe, secure and prosperous.
Home Secretary, Priti Patel said: “Border Force officers work tirelessly to protect our borders at 140 sea and air ports right across the U.K. Since Border Force was set up in 2011, its remit has grown to meet the changing border threats we face, and in recent years has supported delivery of the government’s Brexit commitments and COVID-19 measures. The public rightly expects this work to be carried out to the highest possible standard, which is why I have ordered this review of Border Force to identify ways in which it can keep improving its operations.”
