theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for UK counter-terrorism cooperation of the detention of Bechir Akremi; and whether he has considered the findings of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in relation to his case. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is aware of the ongoing detention of Mr Bechir Akremi. We are clear on the importance of continued public commitment to respect for the rule of law, and all Tunisians' civil, political, social, and economic rights, including the right to a fair trial. The UK respects Tunisia's judicial processes and calls for all cases to be tried in an independent, transparent manner.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the reported increase in the use of (a) judicial and (b) non-judicial travel bans imposed on (i) released prisoners of conscience and (ii) family members of peaceful activists. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Government and our Embassy in Riyadh regularly monitor the human rights landscape in Saudi Arabia and engage with the Saudi authorities on these matters. We discuss human rights, including individual cases who have been subject to travel bans, with the Saudi Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the government of Saudi Arabia on the death sentences given to (a) Rami Gamal Shafik al-Najjar, (b) Ahmed Zeinhom Omar, (c) Hesham Al Teles, (d) Abdelfattah Kamal, (e) Issam Al Shazly, (f) Mohamed Saad and (g) Omar Sherif. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries and circumstances. We regularly discuss human rights with the Saudi authorities, including individual cases of concern. I raised the cases of several Egyptian nationals with the Saudi authorities this year. The Government will continue to engage on this matter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on a timeframe for improvement on the facilitation of humanitarian aid into Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The previous Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 23 August and he urged the Government of Israel to remove all restrictions on aid entering Gaza and agree to a ceasefire. The UN and humanitarian partners must be allowed to operate safely and independently to deliver aid to those who so desperately need it.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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John Grady:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international allies to help bring greater stability to Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Alongside international allies, we have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative political transition which respects the rights of all Syrians. This is essential for long-term stability and peace. The former Foreign Secretary discussed this with President al Sharaa and Foreign Minister al Shaibani when he visited Damascus in July. I discussed progress on the political transition, including next steps on security and accountability, with the Foreign Minister and Justice Minister during my recent visit. We are also supporting economic recovery through sanctions lifting and livelihoods and education programmes. We will continue to support the Syrian Government to deliver its commitments to build a more stable, free and prosperous future for all Syrians. A stable Syria is important for regional stability and is firmly in the UK's interest.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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John Slinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the relationship between the Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Through our diplomatic presence, we regularly engage with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government. We continue to encourage constructive dialogue and cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil to resolve their outstanding issues, including around the federal budget, security cooperation, and the oil and gas sector. Priorities for the UK in Iraq include Parliamentary ratification of the UK-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which establishes a framework for deepening the UK-Iraq partnership across areas of common interest such as security, people smuggling, environmental protection, and trade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to hold Israel accountable for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the previous Foreign Secretary on 20 May 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to secure a two state solution to the (a) humanitarian, (b) political and (c) security crisis in the Middle East since 22 July 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I refer my Hon Friend to the statement made to the House by the former Foreign Secretary on 1 September.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled 2030 roadmap for UK-Israel bilateral relations, published on 21 March 2023, what the (a) timeline and (b) terms of reference is for the review of the 2030 Roadmap; and whether the review will it be made public. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the previous Foreign Secretary on 20 May 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 21 July 2025 on Middle East, Official Report, column 595, whether UK made arms components were used in the incident at the Project HOPE health clinic in Deir al Balah. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: As the Foreign Secretary has said, we utterly condemn the killing of civilians seeking to meet their basic needs. Our assessment of this strike, drawing on the available evidence, including eyewitness reports in the media, is that it was a drone strike. The Government suspended all export licences for IDF drones on 2 September 2024, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition for use in military operations in Gaza.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Iqbal Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 21 July 2025 on Middle East, Official Report, column 595, whether UK made arms components were used in the incident at the Project HOPE health clinic in Deir al Balah. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: As the Foreign Secretary has said, we utterly condemn the killing of civilians seeking to meet their basic needs. Our assessment of this strike, drawing on the available evidence, including eyewitness reports in the media, is that it was a drone strike. The Government suspended all export licences for IDF drones on 2 September 2024, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition for use in military operations in Gaza.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 21 July 2025 on Middle East, Official Report, column 595, whether UK made arms components were used in the incident at the Project HOPE health clinic in Deir al Balah. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: As the Foreign Secretary has said, we utterly condemn the killing of civilians seeking to meet their basic needs. Our assessment of this strike, drawing on the available evidence, including eyewitness reports in the media, is that it was a drone strike. The Government suspended all export licences for IDF drones on 2 September 2024, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition for use in military operations in Gaza.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Zarah Sultana:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Tomer Bar was granted special mission immunity to visit the UK in July 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Government officials from any country can apply for and be granted special mission certificates as part of official visits to the UK. As set out in a Written Ministerial Statement to the House on 4 March 2013, Official Report, volume 559, column 55WS, a special mission is a temporary mission, representing a State, which is sent by one State to another with the consent of the latter, in order to carry out official engagements on behalf of the sending State. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office gave consent for special mission status for the visit to the UK on 17-18 July for Tomer Bar, Head of the Israeli Air Force, and a member of their delegation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of people who were arrested at the protests in Parliament Square on 6 September 2025 who have since been (a) charged and (b) released without charge. \p Sarah Jones: The Government is absolutely clear that support for proscribed organisations is unacceptable. Anyone expressing support for a proscribed organisation should expect to be investigated by the police.

Charging decisions are a matter for the police and the CPS who are independent of Government. The CPS regularly publish information relating to Palestine Action related charges.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of people who were arrested in relation to the protests in Parliament Square on 6 September 2025. \p Sarah Jones: The Government is absolutely clear that support for proscribed organisations is unacceptable. Anyone expressing support for a proscribed organisation should expect to be investigated by the police.

The Metropolitan Police Service has released statistics on the arrests made at the central London protests on 6 September 2025 which can be found here:

https://news.met.police.uk/pressreleases/update-on-demonstration-in-support-of-palestine-action-3403168

Operational decisions, including arrests, are a matter for the police, who are independent of Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Sarah Edwards:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of support available to retired canine officers. \p Sarah Jones: Police support animals play an important role in crime detection, prevention, and public safety. The government values the bravery and skill of police dogs and their handlers, recognising the strong bond formed through their work.

Decisions on support for retired police dogs are made by individual forces, led by Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners. Each force manages its animals throughout service and retirement, supported by a mix of charities, volunteers, and benefit schemes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025, on Events at Orgreave, HCWS855, by what mechanism the panel of independent experts will be (a) selected and (b) appointed; whether they will be paid; and what steps she is taking to ensure transparency over declarations of interest. \p Sarah Jones: As set out in the previous Home Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement of 21 July 2025, the Orgreave Inquiry will be established as a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, with a small panel of independent experts to be appointed in due course.

The appointment of panel members will therefore be made in accordance with provisions in the Inquiries Act 2005. Those appointments and any related remuneration matters remain to be determined.

Details of panel members and the Inquiry’s terms of reference will be provided to both Houses at the earliest opportunity.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department issues to police forces to ensure that they use their public order powers at protests in compliance with human rights legislation. \p Sarah Jones: Guidance on the use of public order powers is jointly produced by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

The College of Policing publishes the Public Order Public Safety Authorised Professional Practice, while the Protest Operational Advice Document is issued collaboratively by both organisations.

These documents provide comprehensive operational guidance and include robust, detailed consideration of human rights legislation, ensuring that policing practices align with legal obligations and uphold fundamental rights.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what technologies are employed by law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles using (a) ghost and (b) cloned licence plates; and what plans her Department has to (i) improve and (ii) expand such capabilities. \p Sarah Jones: Police and law enforcement agencies use the National Automated Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) Capability and associated technologies to detect and respond to criminal use of ghost and cloned licence plates.

The Government will continue to support the police to ensure they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation to tackle crime.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Mr Connor Rand:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker would apply to workers in community pharmacies. \p Sarah Jones: Through our Crime and Policing Bill, this Government has introduced a new specific standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to help tackle the epidemic of shop theft and violence towards shop workers that we have seen in recent years and protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

Those working in pharmacies, where they are not otherwise captured by the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act will be covered by the new offence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate she has made of the aggregate value of crypto-assets held by (a) her Department and (b) police forces. \p Sarah Jones: The Government does not currently publish the amount of cryptocurrency restrained / recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The Home office is reviewing plans to publish new statistics on Crypto assets as part of future annual stats bulletins on asset recovery in response to the new powers that came into effect in April 2024.

Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data. These reviews allow us to balance the production of our regular statistics whilst developing new statistics for future release.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether measures to (a) recognise and (b) support under-16s who perpetrate abuse towards their (i) parents, (ii) siblings and (iii) intimate partners will be included in the forthcoming Violence against women and girls strategy. \p Jess Phillips: The upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy will outline the steps we are taking to respond to teenage relationship abuse and child to parent abuse.

The VAWG Strategy will underpin a transformative, cross-government approach to deliver on the Government's unprecedented ambition to halve VAWG in a decade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System of 12 May 2025, what assessment she has made of (a)  levels of current migrant staffing and (b) the potential merits of increasing necessary staff supply in the health and social care system in Northern Ireland. \p Mike Tapp: The Home Office does not monitor the staffing levels of specific sectors; this should be directed to the Northern Ireland’s Department of Health.

It is open to the Health and Care sectors to use the options available to them; this includes international recruitment providing they meet the requirements of the relevant visa route, primarily the Health and Care visa. There are no limits on the number of staff that can be recruited under the Health and Care visa system providing the criteria are met. However, the Government is clear that the health and social care sector, alongside other sectors, needs to reduce its reliance on international recruitment and increase its staffing supply from the domestic workforce.

We will continue to work with Governments across all parts of the United Kingdom.
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Patrick Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the number of small boat crossings since 4 July 2024. \p Alex Norris: The Border Security Command was established to provide strategic leadership in tackling small boats, ensuring our approach is informed by a single and shared understanding of the threat through the integrated use of intelligence, assessments, data and evidence. The Command has an established process for monitoring and evaluating work underway, including assessing delivery and monitoring trends in arrivals. The Government keeps all options to tackle small boat crossings, and the Organised Crime Groups behind them, under constant review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of the increase in illegal working arrests involved people who had originally entered the UK on work visas. \p Alex Norris: The government takes illegal working very seriously, and we are determined to clamp down on the employment of individuals with no right to work in the UK.

The specific information requested is not readily available from published statistics and could only be obtained for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46900 on Asylum: Housing, how many dwellings have been procured via Cushman and Wakefield across England since July 2024; and what the total number of leasehold and freehold properties which are part of the Home Office landholdings is. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office does not publish information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. The Home Office continues to work with Cushman and Wakefield to identify potential sites for Home Office acquisition as part of the Asylum Accommodation Programme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of people who have entered the UK illegally using forged (a) passports and (b) visas in the last five years. \p Alex Norris: We do not hold or commission estimates of the number of individuals who may have entered the UK illegally using forged passports or visas over the last five years.

However, the Home Office does publish statistics on irregular migration, which include data on Inadequately Documented Arrivals (IDAs). IDAs refer to passengers arriving in the UK by air who are either undocumented, travelling with fraudulent documents, or without the correct documentation required for travel or entry.

This data can be found here: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of fraud-related crime rates in the North East. \p Dan Jarvis: The Home Office holds data on incidents of fraud reported to Action Fraud by Police Force Area (PFA), which is published each quarter by the ONS and is available at the following link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/policeforceareadatatables.
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Patrick Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the cost of housing asylum seekers in (a) hotels, (b) private rental accommodation and (c) council housing in each of the last five financial years. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether barracks sites used to house people seeking asylum will be run by private contractors. \p Alex Norris: We have committed to close all asylum hotels and to achieve this, we will look at a range of more appropriate sites like disused accommodation, industrial and ex-military sites so that we can reduce the impact on communities.

We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery and more detail will be set out in due course. This will include available routes to market for Onsite Support Services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff her Department employs to organise deportation flights. \p Alex Norris: Staff working on deportation flights are often deployed flexibly across broader returns and enforcement workstreams. As such, it is not possible to disaggregate staffing figures to isolate those solely focused on deportation flights and obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Home Office does not hold any central record of the requested information.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department are dedicated to enforcing deportation orders. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office does not hold centrally collated data on the precise number or proportion of staff exclusively dedicated to enforcing deportation orders. Enforcement activity focussed on deportation orders is carried out across the Home Office with responsibilities spanning multiple functions including removals, detention, and casework.

Staff working on deportation orders are often deployed flexibly across broader returns and enforcement workstreams. As such, it is not possible to disaggregate staffing figures to isolate those solely focused on deportation enforcement and obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Home Office does not hold any central record of the requested information.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many deportations have been prevented by interim measures of the European Court of Human Rights in each of the last five years. \p Alex Norris: The Information requested regarding how many deportations have been prevented by interim measures of the European Court of Human Rights in each of the last five years is not held centrally and to obtain it would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has sought to negotiate returns agreements with (a) Pakistan, (b) Albania, (c) Nigeria and (d) Somalia in the last five years. \p Alex Norris: The UK has returns agreements with these four countries that facilitate the return of individuals with no legal basis to remain in the UK. We continue to work with each of these countries on returns and to manage irregular migration.

This Government is committed to maintaining and improving returns cooperation with all countries to which we are seeking to remove those with no legal basis to remain in the UK. Most people return voluntarily without their return needing to be enforced but for some enforced returns, confirmation of identity and nationality, including for the provision of travel documentation, needs to be obtained before removal can be affected. There is a limited number of countries where this process can be challenging. We continue to seek opportunities to build returns co-operation with these four countries through official and ministerial engagement, operational returns arrangements and agreements.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department applies sanctions to countries that refuse to accept deported nationals. \p Alex Norris: Where cooperation with countries on returns falls below the levels expected, and where appropriate, we will use all levers available to us.

Sections 70-74 the new Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (NABA) gives HMG the ability to impose visa penalties where countries are deemed to be uncooperative on returns. The full provision can be found here: Nationality and Borders Act 2022.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of defaulting to a claimant’s self-declared age where no independent verification is available on the provision of effective (a) safeguarding and (b) community safety. \p Alex Norris: The age of a person arriving in the UK is normally established from the documents with which they have travelled, but many do not have any definitive documentary evidence to support their claimed age.

There are clear safeguarding issues which arise if a child is inadvertently treated as an adult, and equally if an adult is wrongly accepted as a child and placed in accommodation with children to whom they could present a risk.

Where there is reason to doubt an individual’s claimed age, immigration officers are required to make an initial age decision to determine whether the individual should be treated as a child or an adult. This is an important first step to prevent individuals who are clearly an adult or child from being subjected unnecessarily to a more substantive age assessment and ensure individuals are routed to the correct adult or child process for assessing their asylum or immigration claim.

If there is doubt whether a claimant is an adult or child, they will be referred to a local authority’s Children’s Services Department who are then able to either undertake an age assessment themselves or can refer into the National Age Assessment Board for further consideration of their age in the interests of safeguarding. Regardless of age, where issues relating to safeguarding or community safety are raised, referrals will be made to the relevant authorities.
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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) refugees and (b) displaced Ukrainians with leave to remain in the UK to (i) secure decent employment and (ii) improve their English language skills. \p Mike Tapp: In the recently published Immigration White Paper, we committed to increase English Language proficiency across the immigration system. This change will support migrants to integrate and be active participants in their local communities.
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Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2025 to Question 68504 on Visas: Families, what her Department's timetable is for responding to the report by the Migration Advisory Committee entitled Family Route: Financial Requirements Review, published June 2025. \p Mike Tapp: On 10 June the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published their independent review of the financial requirements across the family routes. The report is now under review and we will respond in due course.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what region Afghans resettled through the Afghanistan Response Route have been located. \p Mike Tapp: The regular quarterly Immigration System Statistics provide details on how many individuals have been resettled to the UK broken down by resettlement route, region and local authority area. The number of people resettled under the Afghanistan Resettlement Programme (which includes consolidated data on the ‘Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy,’ ‘Afghan Citizens Relocation Scheme’ and ‘Afghan Response Route’) can be accessed at tab ‘Reg_D02’ of the following table: Regional and local authority data on immigration groups, year ending June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

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Carolyn Harris:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the recommendations of the Thirty-Seventh Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-25 on Immigration: Skilled worker visas, HC 819, what arrangements are in place to safeguard international social care workers when sponsors’ licences are revoked beyond regional partnerships funded by the Department for Health and Social Care; and whether she is taking steps to strengthen those arrangements. \p Mike Tapp: The standard cancellation activity for care workers impacted by revocation of the sponsor’s licence has been temporarily paused to enable the workers to find alternative employment. When an Adult Social Care sponsor is revoked, UKVI write to all the impacted workers individually to signpost them to direct support provided by the relevant regional partnerships when in England and to a specified mailbox in Scotland.

In addition to this, UKVI have agreed a process with the Regional Partnerships to expedite the associated applications for displaced workers, waiving the usual premium service fees that would be associated with either sponsor licence applications, certificate of sponsorship applications and visa applications.

The Regional Partnerships have a nominated official within UKVI who they are able to contact directly to seek support relating to care workers impacted by a revocation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_133

Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish a full impact assessment for the most recent statement of changes to the immigration rules on the care sector. \p Mike Tapp: It is our intention to publish the Impact Assessment (IA) at the earliest opportunity. A technical annex (Restoring control over the immigration system: technical annex (accessible) - GOV.UK) was published alongside the Immigration White Paper setting out the impact of some of the key policy changes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_134

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people will become eligible for indefinite leave to remain in the next five years. \p Mike Tapp: Eligibility for indefinite leave to remain is assessed upon application, by individual caseworkers, and as such, there are no fixed estimates of the number of individuals who will become eligible at any point.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_135

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to process the settlement protection ILR applications from Syrian nationals. \p Mike Tapp: The pause on processing settlement protection applications from Syrian nationals has been lifted.

We are working through the outstanding cases in line with the relevant published policy guidance taking into account the latest published country policy information on Syria. Each application will be considered on its individual merits and some cases may require further consideration and evidence gathering.

We will not remove anyone to their own or any other country where they would face persecution or serious harm.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_136

Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposals in the immigration white paper of 12 May 2025 on people on ancestry visas. \p Mike Tapp: The Government values the UK’s close cultural and historical ties with its fellow Commonwealth countries and this is reflected by the UK Ancestry visa, which allows Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent to live and work in the UK.

Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course and, where necessary, will be subject to consultation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_137

Kevin McKenna:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including the names of a child's parents or legal guardians within the body of their passport. \p Mike Tapp: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_138

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she will publish quarterly breakdowns of eVisa issues by (a) category, (b) access failure, (c) incorrect data, (d) share-code errors and (e) outcomes. \p Mike Tapp: We are committed to ensuring that the transition to eVisas is as smooth as possible for all status holders. The Home Office has a robust support model in place to facilitate this transition.

There is no plan to change the UKVI Account Terms & Conditions. We already operate a process of ex gratia payments where the Home Office is found to be at fault, and this will not change with the introduction of eVisas. Our online immigration status services are designed to be highly resilient, with rigorous testing and concurrent services in place to ensure efficiency. We consistently monitor our online services to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. Where technical issues do arise, there are fallback provisions in place to enable status to be confirmed through alternative means such as the Home Office’s dedicated UK Visas and Immigration Resolution Centre which can assist users who are experiencing technical issues and where necessary, enable a person’s status to be verified through alternative means.

On sharecode reliability, we have not identified problems with the share code mechanism itself. The system is designed to invalidate codes in the following circumstances:

On carrier eVisa verifications, if someone’s carrier, for example, airline, rail company or other transport provider, is unable to check a person’s permission to travel to the UK, the carrier may contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub for advice, 24/7. This service is for carriers only.

We do not collect data on how many times people have been refused airline boarding and UK entry as a result of eVisa issues. This data would rely on either a customer or airline notifying the Home Office and therefore could not be classed as a reliable data source

Information requested regarding the breakdown of reported eVisa issues is not available from published statistics. The relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

We have carefully considered possible options for offline backup versions of eVisas. Information on a printed document would not allow demonstration of real-time immigration status, and therefore is not a secure method of sharing and proving immigration status in a way that gives confidence to the user and the checker.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_139

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to narrow the definition of family member in relation to immigration and asylum policy. \p Mike Tapp: I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made to the House by the Home Secretary on 1 September 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_140

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that children evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment are accompanied by appropriate family members. \p Mike Tapp: The Prime Minister announced at the end of July that the UK will medically evacuate Gazan children for treatment in the UK. A cross-government taskforce is working urgently to get some of these sick and injured children out of Gaza, so that they can receive specialist treatment in NHS hospitals across the UK.

All children will be accompanied by their immediate family. This includes parents, and any siblings under the age of 18, who will be subject to standard security screening before travel. Individuals will be required to submit their biometrics prior to travel, and we are doing everything we can to support their safe exit to a third country where their biometrics will be captured and applications processed. In cases where individuals are medically certified as too ill or unable to enrol, decisions on whether to defer biometric enrolment until arrival in the UK will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Those brought to the UK will be granted leave to stay for up to two years with the ability to access public funds, including treatment and wraparound support in the UK, this is irrespective of how long their treatment lasts. If individuals wish to remain beyond the initial two years, they can apply for further permission to stay under existing routes within the Immigration Rules.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_141

Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria will be used in the Home Office English Language Test procurement process to help ensure the (a) integrity, (b) reliability and (c) independent validation of English language assessments, in the context of (i) AI and (ii) remote delivery models. \p Mike Tapp: The Home Office is currently undertaking market engagement to inform the development of contractual requirements for the English Language Test procurement, and will ensure the continued integrity, reliability and independent validation of English language assessments, including considerations for both AI-enabled and remote delivery model.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_142

Chris Murray:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to help ensure that the Border Force’s freight inspection targets at UK borders are met and what recent progress has been made on reaching these targets. \p Mike Tapp: Border Force have, and continue to, hit freight inspection targets and expect that this performance will be maintained throughout the remainder of the financial year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_143

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to enable Ukrainians who arrived via the (a) Homes for Ukraine and (b) Ukraine Family Scheme to settle permanently in the UK. \p Mike Tapp: I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made to the House by the Home Secretary on 1 September 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_144

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 234 of the Home Office annual report and accounts 2024-25, published in July 2025, HC1133, how much the UK (a) contributes to and (b) receives from the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. \p Mike Tapp: The United Kingdom no longer participates in the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-17 conversation_145

Gideon Amos:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to ensure that internationally recruited health and care workers on Band 3 salaries will be able to renew their visas after the proposed salary threshold increase. \p Mike Tapp: Salary thresholds are an important way of ensuring those coming to work in the UK are able to support themselves. These workers do not have access to public funds so it is important a rate is set which will ensure people are earning sufficient income without having to rely on public funds. A number of health and care and education occupations are subject to lower rates of pay than other occupations.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been asked to consider whether there should continue to be a different threshold for health and care worker visas. We look forward to receiving the MAC’s recommendations in due course.

Individuals who are sponsored in the roles at band 3 before the rules changed on 22 July will be eligible to extend their visa providing they meet all of the requirements at the time including being paid the appropriate salary. Salary thresholds and going rates are routinely updated and sponsored workers will need to meet the salary requirements in place at the time when they apply for their visa to be renewed.