Home Secretary Mahmood Says Home Office Not Yet Fit for Purpose After Secret Report

A recently released secret report, written in 2023 by former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy and kept hidden for over two years, exposes deep systemic failures within the UK Home Office, particularly regarding immigration enforcement. The report highlights a "culture of defeatism," poor coordination with police and other government departments, confused and conflicting systems, and an overly defensive legal approach that hampers effective immigration control. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged the department is "not yet fit for purpose" and has been "set up for failure," echoing criticisms made nearly two decades ago. She committed to overhauling the Home Office's staff, structures, and culture alongside the new permanent secretary to improve delivery and accountability. The report also criticized time spent on identity politics and social issues during work hours, distrust between departments intensified by past scandals like Windrush, and inadequate recordkeeping practices. Mahmood emphasized that the previous Conservative government was aware of these issues but failed to act, while her administration aims to transform the department to better secure borders and national security.