By Jonathan, Campaigns and Public Affairs Team

It has just been announced that the D(P)IC Bill is to be scrutinised by the Home Affairs Select Committee, a cross-party group of MPs who scrutinise the work of the Home Office. This is quite an unusual development and will provide further opportunities to shed light on this huge simplification and consolidating bill.

Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Committee, said:

The Government tells us that it is engaged in “the biggest shake-up to our border protection and immigration system for over 45 years”.  Although it states that much of this Bill is about amending and simplifying existing immigration regulations, the Bill also contains significant changes to existing policy, including on permission to enter and remain in the country, strengthening control of the UK’s borders, and detention and removal of illegal immigrants.

We consider it vital that this Committee participates in the debate about these changes and contributes to the Government’s proposals at the formative stage.

The Committee has issued a call for evidence on the D(P)IC Bill which it will consider as part of its enquiry.