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Search for press releasesBorder And Immigration Agency response to the National Audit Office Bicester report
9 November 2007
Statement by Lin Homer, Chief Executive of the Border And Immigration Agency, responding to the National Audit Office's Bicester report. November 2007.
Chief Executive of the Border and Immigration Agency Lin Homer said:
'Action by the Home Office since 2002 has seen a significant reduction in asylum claims and a rise in the rate of removals, with initial asylum decisions now taken in just eight weeks. These improvements have resulted in significant savings for the UK taxpayer.
'Bicester remains a valuable potential site for a secure removals centre and we continue to keep that option under review. We have already taken steps to expand detention facilities including a new 426-bed centre at Gatwick, which will open early in 2009.'

