Government moves to start a recruitment campaign for 1,000 additional Border Force staff ahead of Brexit has been welcomed by the airports trade body.
The measures were announced as an independent inspector of borders and immigration made nine recommendations to improve Border Force passenger checks at Stansted.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the Home Affairs Select Committee that the Home Office is to boost the Border Force with a recruitment drive as the clock clicks down to the UK leaving the EU in a year’s time.
The boost will “improve the quality of our border and prepare specifically for Brexit”, Rudd told MPs.
Airport Operators Association chief executive Karen Dee said: “We welcome the announcement that the government will be recruiting additional Border Force staff as well as the commitment by the Home Secretary in her evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee that the Home Office will step up investment for a smoother experience for visitors at the border.
“The border experience for passengers passing through UK airports has been under pressure in recent years as resources for Border Force have gone down, while passenger numbers went up. This has resulted in longer queues more often in airports.
“It is vital that as we prepare for Brexit, the UK demonstrates we are open for business by providing both a secure and welcoming border experience to legitimate travellers.
“We will work with the government and Border Force to ensure that the new recruits provide much needed additional capacity at the border in airports to achieve this, in addition to their role in preparing Border Force for Brexit.”