What is the home office?
The Home Office is the UK government department responsible for immigration and borders, policing, counter-terrorism, crime policy and passports. It is led by the Home Secretary, one of the four Great Offices of State. Most of its work covers England and Wales, while borders and immigration are UK-wide.
The Home Office was created in 1782. Its main areas today are immigration, asylum and visas, and the Border Force at airports and ports. It also runs HM Passport Office and sets policing policy in England and Wales. It also oversees MI5, counter-terrorism strategy and drugs policy. The Home Secretary is one of the most senior members of the Cabinet. The department is one of the largest in Whitehall, with tens of thousands of staff.
Prisons, courts and probation are run by the separate Ministry of Justice. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, policing and justice are devolved, but immigration and national security stay with the Home Office. Probation and youth justice also sit with the Ministry of Justice. The Home Office works closely with that department on crime and sentencing policy, and with the security services on terrorism.
The Home Office is often at the centre of political rows, especially over immigration levels, small boat crossings, asylum hotels and police numbers. The Home Secretary sets visa rules through immigration rules laid before Parliament. Critics say the department is too large to run well. Supporters say keeping security and borders together helps coordination.
- Sets policing policy and funds police forces
- Runs the immigration and asylum system
- Controls the UK border through Border Force
- Leads on counter terrorism and national security
- Issues passports
Budget: About £20bn a year. Staff: About 45,000
What it runs or funds
Border Force, UK Visas and Immigration, HM Passport Office, MI5 (Security Service), National Crime Agency
Did you know? HM Passport Office issues around 5 to 7 million passports a year.
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What does the Home Secretary do?
They lead the Home Office and are responsible for immigration, policing, security and passports.
Does the Home Office run prisons?
No. Prisons and courts in England and Wales are run by the Ministry of Justice.
Is the Home Office responsible for immigration?
Yes. It sets and enforces immigration and asylum rules across the UK.
Which minister leads the Home Office?
The Home Secretary. The Home Secretary leads the Home Office.
Which of these is a Home Office job?
Running the immigration and asylum system. The Home Office runs immigration and asylum. Prisons sit with the Ministry of Justice.