Developing an evaluation strategy for the compliant environment: Review of internal data and processes

Product Description

In common with many other European countries, the UK has a combination of laws and processes in place to regulate access to employment, benefits and services. This is to ensure those that are entitled to them have access, while also preventing access to those who are not in the UK legally or have conditions attached to their permission to stay which limits their entitlements. This is called ‘the compliant environment’.

The compliant environment comprises 6 areas within which the Home Office works with other public bodies and the private sector to uphold the law and conduct the necessary checks. They are:

• Right to Work
• Right to Rent
• Benefits
• Access to Healthcare
• Banking
• Driving

In response to Recommendation 7 of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review, the Home Office committed to a long-term evaluation of how the compliant environment’s measures operate – individually and cumulatively – to ensure that both its rules and its protections work effectively.

This report forms part of the broader ongoing programme of work to review the compliant environment that includes wider outputs.

This report comprises 2 components. First, it covers the findings from a review of internal data and operational processes. It specifically summarises the workings of the compliant environment, outlines how each individual measure works in practice, and details demographic characteristics of those who were subject to enforcement activities. Second, drawing on the findings and gaps identified, it presents an approach for evaluating the compliant environment both in its entirety and as a set of individual measures.