The theme of delivery, like integration in the previous chapter, can only be evaluated with less precise measures. Like integration, there are relevant Public Sector Agreements (PSAs) outside of the specific ‘migration’ PSA Aim. The most relevant refer to ‘entry clearance’ and are held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

However, the ‘delivery’ of migration policy is wider than the entry visa system. There is a spectrum of other measures that can be used to evaluate the operation of the immigration system. For instance, in 2002 the Prime Minister set a target for all government services to be 100 per cent online by 2005 (Cabinet Office PSA 3, SR2002), which the Immigration and Nationality Directorate achieved within the necessary reporting time frame. Three further measures with particular relevance are discussed in this chapter. First, measures of efficiency (savings targets); second, drawing on the discussion of the White Paper Modernising government (Cabinet Office, 1999) in Chapter 5, there is an analysis of joined-up government; and finally, individual project delivery is assessed.

The operation of the immigration system

In the space provided, the best target to evaluate the overall operation of the immigration system is the PSA on visas, set for the FCO (shared with UKvisas). Helpfully, the PSA Aim has been the same over both Spending Reviews (PSA Aim 6, SR2002 and PSA Aim 9, SR2004): ‘High quality consular services to British nationals abroad. Effective regulation of entry to, and settlement in, the UK in the interests of sustainable growth and social inclusion.’ However, the underlying targets are slightly different between the two. The first set of PSA targets (SR2002) was (Target 1) 90 per cent of straightforward non-residence visa applications to be decided within 24 hours; (Target 2) 90 per cent of posts to make a decision within 10 working days on non-settlement applications requiring an interview; (Target 3) 90 per cent of posts to meet target times for settlement interviews; and (Target 4) 0.04 per cent of visa holders whose leave to enter the UK is cancelled on arrival at a UK port. In the PSA targets (SR2004), Target 2 has been lengthened to 15 working days and Target 3 has a time limit of 12 weeks.