Former government watchdog David Neal exposes significant security lapses at London City Airport and exploitation within the social care visa system, issuing calls for urgent governmental response.
In a series of investigative reports conducted and prepared by former government borders watchdog David Neal, startling lapses in security and exploitation within the UK’s systems have been brought to light. Neal’s inquiries spanned across issues at London City Airport and abuses within the social care visa system, revealing systemic flaws and operational failures.
At London City Airport, Neal’s findings, released in 2024, underscored significant security risks, particularly emphasizing the inadequate screening of private jets. According to Neal, these jets, often carrying occupants from high-risk categories, landed without the requisite Border Force security checks, posing a substantial risk in terms of smuggling and security breaches. Despite these alarming observations, the Border Force Director General, Phil Douglas, and the Home Office challenged Neal’s claims, attributing some of the issues to a data error and insisting that checks were conducted on all general aviation arrivals.
Compounding the security concerns at the airport, Neal’s work also uncovered severe exploitation within the social care visa system. His reports detailed how companies were able to receive a high number of certificates of sponsorship for overseas carers with minimal staffing needs, leading to over 1,500 individuals potentially working in exploitative conditions. The investigation further revealed instances of forged documentation being used to secure worker visas. Neal criticized the government’s policies, particularly the decision to list the care sector on the UK’s shortage occupation list, which he argued made low-skilled, vulnerable workers susceptible to abuse.
The reports called for comprehensive reviews and immediate action to address these issues. For London City Airport, Neal highlighted the necessity of improving security measures and personnel training to ensure the strict checking of arrivals. Regarding the social care visa system, recommendations included a full review of the visa route and licensing, alongside the establishment of a multi-agency agreement to protect against exploitation.
In response to the criticisms, the Home Office expressed its commitment to rectifying the outlined issues, highlighting efforts to combat worker exploitation and tighten airport security. Nonetheless, these reports have sparked widespread concern and debate over the effectiveness and integrity of the UK’s border security and immigration policies.
