Suella Braverman’s successor as Home Secretary, James Cleverly, inherits major challenges on several fronts, including an imminent ruling on the lawfulness of the Government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.
The former foreign secretary’s appointment comes at a delicate time for home affairs, with ministers facing judgment this week on the policy central to their immigration proposals and protests over the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key issues he will have to address in his new role:
– Migrant crossings and asylum
Rishi Sunak made reducing the number of small boats arriving via the English Channel one of the five key priorities of his leadership, and the Government’s flagship Illegal Migration Bill was passed earlier this year.
But the crossings have far from stopped completely, with more than 26,600 journeys being made since the start of this year, meaning Mr Cleverly is likely to be judged on his handling of the issue.
Mr Cleverly’s choice of language on the matter of immigration will be politically important. A defining feature of the tenure of Mrs Braverman – a standard bearer of the Tory right – was the controversial rhetoric she used, most recently in a speech where she claimed the UK was facing a “hurricane” of mass migration.
Tackling the backlog in asylum claims will also be key to cutting the cost of housing migrants in hotels, on which millions of pounds are spent every day.
The Home Office has announced that some 50 hotels will be “exited” by January, so Mr Cleverly could be judged on the execution of this plan.
Introducing alternative accommodation – such as the Bibby Stockholm barge and disused military bases – for asylum seekers has been another Government priority.
The plans face challenges on a number of fronts, with two district councils in Braintree and West Lindsey calling on the High Court to quash proposals to move migrants to RAF Wethersfield and RAF Scampton.
– Rwanda
The Supreme Court will on Wednesday hand down a ruling on whether the Government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda is lawful.
Mr Cleverly will play a central role in how the Government responds to the high-stakes judgment, and will face challenges either way.
If the court gives the green light to the scheme, he will be responsible for enacting a policy that critics claim is unworkable, with the number of migrant crossings this year in the tens of thousands.
If the Government loses the case, Mr Cleverly will need to manage the fallout and preside along with Mr Sunak over next steps.
– Policing
Mrs Braverman’s departure from Cabinet came after she was accused of stoking tensions with a widely criticised article in which she suggested police play favourites with pro-Palestinian protesters.
All eyes will be on Mr Cleverly’s approach to law enforcement in his new role, amid several reports that Mr Sunak is looking to tighten laws to make it easier to ban marches after demonstrations in cities across the country and far-right clashes near the Cenotaph on Armistice Day.
– Crime
The Prime Minister made law and order central to the legislative agenda announced in the King’s Speech earlier this month, in what some saw as a pre-election gambit to appeal to voters on “bread and butter” Conservative issues and draw dividing lines with Labour on criminal justice.
The package included previously announced proposals for killers convicted of the most horrific murders to expect whole life orders as well as giving police the power to enter a property without a warrant to seize stolen goods when they have reasonable proof that a specific stolen item is inside.
A Victims and Prisoners Bill will give ministers the power to block parole for the worst offenders and ban them from marrying in prison.
Mr Cleverly will play a key role in promoting these policies as they make their way through Parliament.
