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Deliver an improved migration system that commands public confidence and serves our economic interests. Limit non-EU economic migrants, and introduce new measures to reduce inflow and minimise abuse of all migration routes, for example the student route. Process asylum applications more quickly, and end the detention of children for immigration purposes

4.1 Strengthen the system of granting students permission to enter or stay in the UK to reduce abuse with the likely consequence of reducing net migration

Title Start date achieved End date achieved Status Notes
4.1.i Monitor the need for further changes to the student routes to ensure applicants are genuine students, and agree any necessary changes required to prevent abuse

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Oct 2012 

  Oct 2012  Complete   

4.2 Strengthen the system of granting spouses permission to enter or stay in the UK to reduce abuse and support the integration of long-term migrants in local communities

Title Start date achieved End date achieved Status Notes
4.2.i Implement new arrangements for family migration arising from the consultation

Scheduled start date: Jun 2012, Scheduled end date: Jul 2012 

Jun 2012  Jul 2012  Complete   
4.2.ii Review further policy changes resulting from the family consultation and implement any necessary rule changes

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Oct 2013 

    In progress   
4.2.iii Prepare further measures to further tackle sham marriages, working with the Ministry of Justice

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Oct 2013 

    In progress   

4.3 Set an annual limit on the number of non-EU economic migrants admitted to the UK. As a result of this and other policies we anticipate net migration will be in the tens of thousands in future

Title Start date achieved End date achieved Status Notes
4.3.i Implement new arrangements for the operation of the annual limit

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: May 2015 

    In progress   
4.3.ii Publish and begin testing based on refreshed Knowledge of Life in the UK handbook

Scheduled start date: Jul 2012, Scheduled end date: Nov 2012 

Jul 2012  Jan 2013  Complete 

‘Life in the UK’ was published on 27 January 2013.

 
4.3.iii Extend roll-out of Biometric Residence Permits to overseas applicants

Scheduled start date: Oct 2012, Scheduled end date: Apr 2014 

Oct 2012    In progress   

4.4 Transform UK border security arrangements to help protect the UK against terrorist attack, serious cross border crime and abuses of the immigration system, including through e-Borders, assessing passengers in advance of their arrival in the UK. Reintroduce exit checks

Title Start date achieved End date achieved Status Notes
4.4.i Implement an agreed contract with suppliers, ensuring that e-Borders continues to deliver value for money and meets its agreed milestones

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2015 

    In progress   
4.4.ii Make any further necessary operational changes to reintroduce exit checks

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2015 

    In progress   
4.4.iii Develop the Smart Zones concept which speeds up the processing of pre-checked low-risk passengers through border control points at specific ports and airports

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Dec 2012 

  Dec 2012  Complete   
4.4.iv Deliver agreed enhancements and maintain the Cyclamen radiation and nuclear detection capability

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2015 

    In progress   
4.4.v Develop proposals for an enhanced freight targeting system

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2013 

  Mar 2013  Complete   
4.4.vi Introduce a new roster system for the Primary Control Point at Heathrow Airport to enable greater flexibility and responsiveness

Scheduled start date: Jun 2012, Scheduled end date: Jun 2012 

Jun 2012  Jun 2012  Complete   
4.4.vii Open a new control room at Heathrow Airport to enhance the deployment of border force resources so that border risks and passenger flow are integrated

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Jun 2012 

  Jun 2012  Complete   

4.5 Improve enforcement capability to increase the number of removals

Title Start date achieved End date achieved Status Notes
4.5.i Include provision to remove full appeal rights for family visit visas in the second session Crime and Courts Bill

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: May 2013 

  Apr 2013  Complete   
4.5.ii Prevent illegal migrant access to credit facilities by implementing proposals based on an evaluation of a financial information data-sharing pilot

Scheduled start date: Aug 2012, Scheduled end date: Aug 2012 

Aug 2012  Sept 2012  Complete 

We extended the timeframe for the pilot to September to allow fuller testing which informed the final evaluation.

 
4.5.iii Develop and implement a new detention strategy, as part of our modernisation programme to improve the use and efficiency of our detention estate

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2016 

    In progress   
4.5.iv Develop and implement an Enforcement Improvement Programme to make targeted improvements to the volume of removals including high harm individuals

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2015 

    In progress   
4.5.v Strengthen active management of non-asylum cases to build compliance, including through clear communications with the illegal population, and voluntary returns

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2013 

  Mar 2013  Complete   
4.5.vi Scope and design a revised approach to assisted voluntary returns to increase the volume

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Jul 2012 

  Jul 2012  Complete   
4.5.vii Implement the revised approach to assisted voluntary returns

Scheduled start date: Aug 2012, Scheduled end date: Apr 2013 

Aug 2012    In progess (overdue) 

Following extensive scoping and evaluation of the existing assisted voluntary returns model (April-August 2012) it was established that given the level of required changes, full implementation of a new model could not be delivered by April 2013. We have drafted the design of this new model which is due to be implemented in April 2014.

 
4.5.viii Intensify our international partnerships and incentivise foreign governments to improve re-documentation arrangements and increase the rate of returns

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2015 

    In progress   
4.5.ix Improve our ability to follow up allegations by improving guidance for staff and the public and by using technology to better gather and manage information, including tracking allegations from receipt to any subsequent enforcement action

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2013 

    In progess (overdue) 

The IT release date has been moved to enable additional security, audit and search capability to be delivered.

 

4.6 Improve migration service standards to support the UK's growth agenda

Title Start date achieved End date achieved Status Notes
4.6.i Develop and roll out premium services overseas

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2015 

    In progress   
4.6.ii Ensure 90 per cent of visa applications are applied for online

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Jan 2013 

  Sept 2012  Complete   
4.6.iii Ensure 80 per cent of visa application payments are made online

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2013 

    In progess (overdue) 

We have increased online payments from approximately 13% to over 45% (on an annualised basis), including some very challenging markets (such as Russia). Within the next 9 months we will have increased online payments to 80% including India, China and Ukraine. Delays have occurred due to difficulties in identifying suitable alternative payment methods in some societies with a strong cash culture and identification of new requirements.

 
4.6.iv Complete delivery of Immigration Casework Work Programme

Scheduled start date: Started, Scheduled end date: Mar 2016 

    In progress