Home Office must be RIPPED UP in radical change 'in order to get a grip' on migration, influential MP says

The Tory MP told Sky News: "I was a minister in the Home Office over ten years ago.

"I've been firmly of the view for some time that the Home Office isn't fit for purpose and really should be split up, and we should have a separate department managing our borders and another department that manages crime and policing."

She said one department should centre its focus on "borders and migration" so "we can absolutely get a grip of it".

A new report has found billions of pounds of taxpayer money has been "wasted" on the asylum hotel system.

MPs have strongly criticised the Home Office for its "incompetence" when dealing with the "failed, chaotic and expensive" system.

The review concluded there was a "manifest failure" by the Home Office to "get a grip" on contracts with private firms tasked with housing asylum seekers.

The expected cost of housing asylum seekers from 2019 to 2029 under the current accommodation contracts has more than tripled, from £4.5billion to £15.3billion.

The report, published today, said: "The Home Office has undoubtedly been operating in an extremely challenging environment but its chaotic response has demonstrated that it has not been up to the challenge.

"The 2026 break clause and end of the contracts in 2029 represent opportunities to draw a line under the current failed, chaotic and expensive system and move to a model that is more effective and offers value for money."

Labour have pledged to close all asylum hotels by the end of this parliament, expected to be in 2029, sparking fears that HMOs will be used to house the tens of thousands of asylum seekers.

Without a plan for alternative accommodation, ministers risk "under-delivery and consequently undermining public trust still further, " the committee has warned.

Protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers in the UK have become a significant issue, fuelled by safety concerns from local residents.

Multiple protests took place in the summer around the Bell Hotel in Epping, where an asylum seeker was charged and later jailed for sexual assault.

Downing Street has said it has "no plans" to break up the Home Office.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "What we’re focused on is building on the improvements we’ve already made by rewiring the department so it secures our borders, makes our streets safer and protects our national security."

A Home Office spokesman said: "The Government is furious about the number of illegal migrants in this country and in hotels.

"That is why we will close every single asylum hotel - saving the taxpayer billions of pounds.

"We have already taken action - closing hotels, slashing asylum costs by nearly £1billion and exploring the use of military bases and disused properties."

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