The reimposition of passport checks on people leaving Britain is a key part of John Reid’s strategy, announced yesterday, to restore confidence in migration policy.

The checks are key to knowing how many failed asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants are in the country.

Initially, checks will be done on high-risk routes before being extended gradually to include all travellers entering and leaving the country.

Mr Reid said: “We will extend exit controls in stages based on risk, identify who overstays and count everyone in and out, while avoiding delays to travellers, by 2014.”

The Home Secretary insisted he was putting forward long-term solutions “not quick fixes” and confirmed that he plans to make the Immigration and Nationality Directorate a semi- autonomous agency operating at arm’s-length from the Home Office.

David Davis, the Shadow Home Secretary, said determination and resources were needed, not more tough talk.

Mr Reid is also intending to clear a backlog of 450,000 cases within five years.

The 24-page document, which comes after the publication of two other plans to overhaul areas of the Home Office, also promises an assault on illegal working and an overhaul of immigration rules that date back to 1971.

The public will be encouraged to call Crimestoppers to inform on those they believe are employing illegal immigrants and the assets of people or firms that persistently employ illegals will be seized. Company directors who consent to, or connive knowingly in, employing illegal workers will be barred from the boardroom.

Mr Reid also promised greater emphasis on enforcement and removing failed asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants. The enforcement budget is to double from £140 million to £280 million by 2008-2009.

The document makes no pledge to increase the 3,000 staff in enforcement and removals but it said the Home Office would study options for greater private sector involvement.

As part of the long-term strategy, all travellers from outside the European Economic Area will need secure ID — thought to refer to biometric travel documents — to visit Britain by 2011. A special envoy is to be appointed to try to secure agreement with European Union and other countries over the return and redocumentation of immigration offenders.

More cash is to be raised from visa charges for foreigners who wish to enter Britain.

The document heralded moves to check foreigners’ eligibility to enter Britain before they even set foot on a plane. The first phase of an “authority to carry” scheme for airlines will be introduced by April 2009. Immigration staff will have to be given pre-arrival data on 15 million passengers on 45 routes by the end of this year, expanding to 100 million passengers by April 2009.

Mr Reid’s proposals came under attack from trade unions and the CBI.

Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, said he was extremely disappointed that an amnesty had been dismissed in favour of tough talk of cracking down in the workplace.

He said: “Pressuring employers about their workers will turn human resources into police officers and workplaces into immigration outposts. All this will do is to spread fear in the workplace and further marginalise migrant workers.”

John Cridland, deputy director-general of the CBI, said: “The Home Office must not penalise business in its desire to tackle the problems of illegal immigration and working.”

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: “Most people will be unable to understand why it has taken the Government nearly a decade to implement some of these measures."

Explore Law

• Columnists

• Law Panel

• Law Reports

• Student Law

Times Recommends

• Linklaters trounces rivals as UK's biggest firm
• Clifford Chance profits plunge 37 per cent
• Casual drinkers hit by spread of 'dry' zones