20 July 2006
Tony Blair has spoken of the "tough task" facing staff working in the criminal justice and immigration systems.
The PM addressed 1000 Home Office workers in their headquarters building in London.
Praising their "magnificent dedication”, he said he knew they were determined to do the best job they could for the benefit of Britain.
His comments came as two announcements - a reform programme for the Home Office, and new measures to rebalance the system in favour of the law-abiding majority - were made.
Mr Blair said:
"It will be a tough task, it will still be an immense challenge, but the direction of policy is now clear. But you’ve done a great job and you are going to do a great job in the future, of that I am sure."
The Home Office has drawn up three action plans in recent weeks - an "extraordinary effort", Mr Blair said.
The first covers reform within the Department, one deals with the immigration system and the third, released today, tackles law and order issues.
Included in the plan are measures to increase prison places, tougher sentences for violent offenders, and more foreign nationals returned to serve sentences in their home countries.
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