Review of the Year: UKVI/Permanent Migration operational perspective Steve Long Director Permanent Migration

UKVI Vision and Principles   We are consistently competent. This means: We get the basics right, every time; We do the right checks on every application, every time; We always treat data and personal information carefully; We have a zero tolerance approach to abuse of the immigration system; We are always transparent; always accountable. We are high performing. This means: We have processes and systems that make it easier for us to make the right decisions; We listen to our people and seek to make them proud to work here; We have a systematic approach to training our people, instilling professionalism at every level and offering a clear career path; We match capacity to demand through a flexible approach to staffing; We constantly look for ways to do things better and deliver value for money for the taxpayer. We are customer focused. This means: We distinguish between those who are entitled to be here and those who are not. We have clear service standards for all customers, so that they know what they can expect from us and what we expect from them; Our application process is as clear and simple as possible; We recognise that the best people to tell us where we can improve are often our customers – we listen, learn and act; We are innovative, making real improvements that will be of benefit to those who will contribute to the UK. To become a globally trusted operator delivering excellent customer service and fair decisions which keep the UK safe and secure

History Home Office/Local Government Partnership 2004 Introduction of Citizenship Ceremonies 2005 Introduction of NCS 2010 Introduction of SCS

Performance Update – The facts NCS Intake 2006-07 179,256 50,904 28.4% 2006-07 179,256 50,904 28.4% 2007-08 134,308 50,593 37.7% 2008-09 168,547 72,672 43.1% 2009-10 196,151 93,366 47.6% 2010-11 207,352 105,485 50.9% 2011-12 194,985 102,044 52.3% 2012-13 132,849 75,261 56.7% 2013-14 216,849 107,510 49.6% SCS Intake 2010-11 475 13,678 3.4% 2011-12 2,218 30,331 6.8% 2012-13 4796 42,277 10.2% 2013-14 2763 38,721 7.3%

Local Authority Partnership Nationality/Settlement Checking Service Number of LAs = 131 (NCS) 31 (SCS). NCS Helpdesk for Local Authorities – 5 strong. 750 calls per week. SCS Helpdesk – 2 strong. 40 calls per week. Key benefits/feedback; No lost documents, quicker throughput, better quality cases, customer engagement. High level stats 98% of NCS/SCS cases granted. Regular engagement with Local Authority colleagues and Mark Rimmer from the Local Registration Services Association (LRSA).

Permanent Migration Delivery Plan 2013/14 - Actively involve staff in Continuous Improvement √ - Ensure effective and realistic planning on workflow and resources to avoid backlogs √ - Deliver transparent and meaningful standards – building customer confidence √ - Drive down marriage abuse by expanding in country interviewing capability √

As a partnership we have; Developed more focused training to encourage and embed SCS in a similar way to NCS. Developed additional SCS sites and training Promoted the Services both NCS and SCS. Considered future delivery, change and policy issues through a transparent and constructive partnership.

Nationality Achievements Work in Progress (WIP): Service improvement plan - capacity/ intake. Reduction in the overall outstanding cases. Policy published and guidance and training delivered to all staff in advance of consideration of cases affected by changes to the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK requirement. Workforce planning: We have worked flexibly to make best use of our resources to support spikes in intake and to support colleagues in PM.

Performance: Work in Progress April 2013 to January 2014 WiP

Performance: Actual Intake/Decisions April 2013 to January 2014 * Temporary technical review of PNC. Impact of Knowledge of Life (KOL).

Performance: Aged Cases Nationality August 2013 to March 2014   Aug-13 Sep-13 Oct-13 Nov-13 Dec-13 Jan-14 Feb-14 Mar-14 No. of aged cases 1,323 1,552 1,576 1,415 1,229 1,005 823 12

Immigration Bill Forward look between Summer 2014 and Spring 2015 Further roll out of NCS/SCS and supporting communication; Staying on top of Work in Progress; Ensuring no workable backlogs; Preparing for Immigration Bill; Biometrics: Nationality and some European applicants will need to give fingerprints when making an application Potential for some impact on NCS but fingerprinting happens after application so may not be significant

Immigration Bill Forward look between Summer 2014 and Spring 2015 Sham: Improved data sharing powers and extension of marriage notice process to enable timely investigation of genuineness of marriages Impact on LRS: process to clarify whether couple are in scope, explain process and gather required evidence Engagement: GRO are inviting operational LA input on sham provisions; discussion at Registration Panels; updates via LRSA.