Another howler

Countless managerial shake-ups have made little material difference.

New scandals emerge each week that expose the department's dysfunctional – and see the public become even more indignant.

The consequence is that it makes it even more difficult for those

migrants with a legitimate right to settle in the UK to integrate into the wider community, and break down social barriers.

Yet how can the public have confidence in the Home Office when more than 17,000 immigrants won leave to remain in Britain last year, simply because no official attended the relevant appeal to present the Government's case?

This negligent state of affairs must not be allowed to continue, even if it means Ministers having to personally bang heads together to ensure that these cases are handled in a professional manner.

Frankly, there is no excuse for the non-attendance of officials at these tribunals. By their very nature, such hearings are only held when there is a possible dispute about an individuals right to remain in the UK or not.

It is, therefore, incumbent upon the Home Office to present the Government's case in the strongest terms possible. Equally, if an individuals wins their residency fight, it would probably be beneficial, in the longer-term, if an official was present to explain why an appeal is required and, thereby, reduce the likelihood of a future dispute.

This issue does not require new legislation. It simply requires the imposition of some common sense.