New Boarders Agency launched
03.04.08
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith launched the new UK Border Agency (UKBA) today, pledging to deport more foreign prisoners and seize record amounts of Class A drugs. She launched the merged customs and immigration operations at a press conference at Gatwick Airport.
The new agency merges 25,000 Immigration Agency, HM Revenue & Customs and UK Visa staff spread over 135 countries. It will focus on combating smuggling, immigration crime and border tax fraud. Ms Smith said its ability to use all the powers of the organisations it is replacing would strengthen the country's borders.
A £1 billion electronic border system will be rolled out later this year, which will allow immigration, customs and police checks against visitors to the UK. Until then, the new agency's integrated border system will only been implemented in a handful of airports across the country.
Ms Smith said: ‘The creation of the UK Border Agency and the targets we have set [for deportations and drugs seizures] shows the Government's commitment to keeping the UK border secure. This new agency will work both in the UK and across the globe to tackle smuggling of goods and people to the UK.’
The Conservatives have criticised the Government for failing to include police in the newly-merged organisation. A spokesman said that they would create a fully-merged border force, including police, to improve security, if they won power.
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