Leicester MP Keith Vaz hits out over 'inappropriate' bonuses
Leicester MP Keith Vaz has said senior Home Office civil servants should not get bonuses while the country struggles to deal with the effects of recession.
Mr Vaz made the comments as the parliamentary committee he chairs published a report detailing the failings of a controversial Home Office agency.
The Leicester East MP said: "In the current climate, we believe it is inappropriate for senior Home Office officials to receive any bonuses."
The Home Affairs Select Committee report specifically looked at the performance of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), which oversees asylum applications and other immigration cases.
The report found a UKBA programme to clear a backlog of up to 450,000 asylum cases would end in July without the agency having discovered why 61,000 of the cases were delayed.
The report also noted that in 2005, the Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke resigned after it emerged 1,013 foreign national prisoners were released into the community instead of being deported.
Yet UKBA had still not traced all the convicts – and admitted it was unlikely to ever find 70 of them.
The committee found training and supervision of staff involved in the forced removal of immigrants was not adequate.
Mr Vaz said: "Much of the delay in concluding asylum and other immigration cases stems from poor quality decision-making when the application is initially considered.
"The UK Border Agency has made some progress over the last few years in relation to new procedures and approaches, but is still failing to meet expectations.
"We also firmly believe that the new head of the UK Border Agency should not receive a salary greater than either the permanent secretary of the Home Office, or the Prime Minister."
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by P Patel, Leicester
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 4:12PM
“Bobby, I am not against Keith. I do not like the way he claimed. He is multimillionaire, should think twice before claiming for silky cushions, and £75000 for a flat, which is next to his house.”
by Bobby, Leicester
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 3:31PM
“Same old, same old. Vaz doesn't need any toady comments on here. His record in his constituency stands for itself. Played 6, won 6. In 2005 he even reversed the national swing away from Labour. You may not like him (obviously) and even I disagree with him on several issues (violent video games and homeopathy for instance) but he has consistently stood up for the his constituents time and time again. And his results reflect that.”
by Alan5547, leics
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 11:31AM
“Bobby
Please permit me to remind you of the headline to this story
"Leicester MP Keith Vaz hits out over 'inappropriate' bonuses"
It is shameful that he should even comment on the matter.
BTW, I might not live in Vaz' constituency, but MY taxes help central government fund his lifestyle.
( do you seriously think that his salary and expenses are funded entirely by Leicester East?)”
by Bobby, Leicester
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 11:23AM
“So all the anti-Vaz bandwago can muster are a measly 28 comments? And most of those by the usual Mercury whingers who don't even live in his constituency. With a majority of thousands I'm sure he's very concerned.
Nice of the Mercury to provide this outlet for all your angst. What would you do without it?”
by suleman, leic east
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 10:58AM
“mr. vaz always come to see us with his local party members took some photos and saye give me 7 days i pesonaly short this problem out thats it then he send you nice group photo with him nothing more this is his way to work never come back to you”
by Simon Ellis, Leicester
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 10:35AM
“It has to be said that Mr Vaz kept silent on the subject of bank pay whilst failed New Labour were in government. He should concentrate his time and energy on improving the lives of all his constituents - not just his favourites. I wrote to him in July and to date have only received a post card acknowledgement.”
by Steve, Countesthorpe
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 9:38AM
“When are you taking your pay cut Mr Vaz? Don't moan until you have done your bit for this country!!!”
by michael, leicester
Wednesday, January 12 2011, 6:04AM
“suprised to hear this after the recent expenses buisiness.
I'm sure he milks the MP system to the hilt”
by Neville, Leicestershire
Tuesday, January 11 2011, 10:09PM
“Vas? Can't stand the man.”
by They seek him here..., Leicestershire
Tuesday, January 11 2011, 7:33PM
“Many workers would prefer a proper wage rather bonuses, but its the employers who rely on paying peanuts on the basis that the monkeys might try to climb the trees to get to the bananas...”