The UK is to hire 1,000 new Border Force staff in the run up to Brexit, Home Secretary Amber Rudd confirmed today.
Speaking at the Home Affairs Select Committee Rudd said that the Home Office is to launch an ad campaign for another thousand staff “in order to improve the quality of our border and prepare specifically for Brexit”, adding that the employees would be placed around the country “to make sure that every area is made secure”.
The additional staff will be funded by a £395 million boost in spending for the Home Office.
The UK’s Airport Operators Association (AOA) said that it welcomed the announcement, with CEO Karen Dee commenting:
“We welcome the announcement today 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.”
