theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1629
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1629

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her predecessor's oral contribution in response to the hon. Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green during the Oral Statement of 12 May 2025 on the Immigration System, Official Report, column 53, whether her Department has consulted people with direct experience of the immigration system in the development of the proposed consultation on settlement and citizenship changes. \p Mike Tapp: The Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper, sets out the government's plans to create an immigration system that promotes growth but is controlled and managed.

We will be consulting on the new settlement rules later this year. Following that, we will provide details of how this initiative will work, including on any transitional arrangements for people already in the UK.

The citizenship proposals will be developed in line with the settlement ones and further details on the proposed citizenship scheme will be provided at a suitable stage.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1630
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1630

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent applications being delayed due to administrative errors by HM Passport Office. \p Mike Tapp: His Majesty’s Passport Office is exceeding its performance indicator of 98.5% of standard UK passport applications where no further information is required being processed within three weeks. Performance data can be found in the most recent Transparency Data release at: Migration transparency data - GOV.UK

Alongside its delivery of these high standards of performance, HM Passport Office will always endeavour to resolve an error as quickly as possible, and continues to work to identify improvements that will help to meet the needs of its customers.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1631
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1631

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her department plans to publish statistics on the time taken by newly recognised refugees to submit family reunion applications. \p Mike Tapp: 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.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1632
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1632

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to publish the number of visas sponsored by each organisation on the register of licensed sponsors (workers) since 2021. \p Mike Tapp: 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.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1633
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1633

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the average salary earned by (a) all and (b) skilled worker visa holders. \p Mike Tapp: An estimate of the average salary earned by all visa holders is not available, as the information is not held.

HMRC and Home Office have introduced a data sharing process to match visa data to administrative tax data. The Home Office published a research report on 12 May on earnings, employment, and Income Tax liabilities of visa holders on Sponsored Work (Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, and Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility)) and Family routes.

The publication reports a median figure of £56,600 for the annual adjusted earnings of skilled worker entry clearance visa holders in financial year 2023 to 2024. Skilled worker extension of stay visa holders were found to have a median annual adjusted earnings figure of £56,300 over the same period.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1634
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1634

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what the level of interoperability is between UK Border Force and the newly established specialist intelligence and judicial police unit. \p Alex Norris: There is no direct engagement between the specialist intelligence and judicial police unit the Groupe d’Appui Operationnel and UK Border Force.

However, newly established law enforcement units such as these are all part of this Government’s commitment to strengthen border security through cooperation with France. We have been clear there are no silver bullets, which is why we have strengthened law enforcement in France and signed this landmark agreement; alongside taking wider measures domestically.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1636
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1636

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, which teams attended the most recent planning workshop for the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme. \p Alex Norris: Asylum Support Accommodation Programme is a Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) programme, currently classified as Tier A – Monitoring. The programme engages in monthly meetings with its NISTA representative to review progress and discuss delivery with the Government Reporting Platform updated on a quarterly basis.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1637
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1637

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on preparing an outline business case for the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme. \p Alex Norris: Under the Asylum Support and Accommodation Programme (ASAP) now known as Future Asylum Contract Transformation (FACT) Project, a Delivery Model Assessment was undertaken looking at the current contractual landscape for Asylum Support. This includes the current Advice, Issue, Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) service due to the integration of these services alongside other core Asylum Business requirements.

As with all Public Sector contracts, re-procurement is required to replace any expiring contracts to ensure value for money solutions to support delivery of future Asylum initiatives.

The outline business case is currently being prepared for submission for internal approval towards the end of 2025.

It is not currently thought that locations will change from current dispersal plans, however, this will be considered in more detail as the programme progresses.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1638
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1638

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress her Department has made on implementing the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme. \p Alex Norris: The Asylum Support Accommodation Programme is currently developing its Outline Business Case (OBC) for internal approval, anticipated towards the end of 2025. This OBC will shape the next phase of the programme by setting out the procurement strategy for the Home Office to deliver new and transformed commercial arrangements ahead of the expiry of the current AASC in 2029.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1639
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1639

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to replace the (a) operator and (b) healthcare service contracts as part of the Manston Transformation Programme. \p Alex Norris: The Department is in the process of replacing these service contracts.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1640
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1640

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of what the capacity of Manston will be following the completion of the Manston Transformation Programme. \p Alex Norris: There are no plans to increase capacity, and this is being reduced as efficiencies have been made to the processing of arrivals and asylum case working.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1641
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1641

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what new accommodation her Department plans to build at Manston as part of the Manston Transformation Programme. \p Alex Norris: Plans for further improvements to the processing and short-term holding facilities at Manston are under review and have not yet been finalised.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1642
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1642

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress she has made on implementing the Manston Transformation Programme. \p Alex Norris: The procurement process is proceeding to planned timelines. The new contract for healthcare services was recently awarded. The single contract will replace multiple existing contracts, set up at pace since 2018, and reflects the improvements that have been achieved since then.

The programme is also working on a planning application using the Crown Development Route.

Progress has been made in improving facilities at Manston, to meet the necessary legal and regulatory requirements to process migrants securely and keep the public safe.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1643
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1643

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's document entitled How many people claim asylum in the UK?, published on 21 August 2025, if she will set out the methodology that was used to estimate that 76 per cent of unaccompanied asylum-seekers children were 16-17 years old. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘asylum detailed datasets’ as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.

Data on asylum claims by route of entry to the UK is published in table Asy_D01a and data on initial decisions on asylum claims is published in table Asy_D02. Additional data on the age of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) is published in table Asy_01a of the ‘asylum summary tables’. The latest data relates to the year ending June 2025. For further information on the data, see the notes pages of the tables.

Data on asylum seekers in receipt of support, by support type at the end of each quarter, is published in table Asy_D09. The latest data relates to as at 30 June 2025.

Data on the outcomes of asylum appeals is published in table Asy_D07; the latest data relates to the year ending March 2023. Data on age disputes is published in table Asy_D05; the latest data relates to the year ending June 2024. Appeals and age assessment data is currently unavailable due to ongoing work on a new case working system. Updated data will be included in a future edition of the Immigration System Statistics release.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1644
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1644

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what input (a) she and (b) her Department has had into the review of the French maritime approach undertaken to allow greater interception of boats in shallow waters. \p Alex Norris: The Home Secretary and her Department have not had direct input into the French review of their maritime approach in relation to the operationalisation of interceptive tactics on small boats. While recognising that it would not be appropriate to provide direct input into an internal review of this nature, the UK government fully supports the review, which is the first of its kind to be undertaken by a French government. This comes amid more than 6 months of close working between the Home Secretary and the French Interior Minister.

The outcome of the maritime review has not yet been announced, but we expect that French maritime operational teams will soon be able to intervene on the water to stop boats launching.

This is of course operationally sensitive and legally complex, but in the coming weeks we can expect their officers to deploy a wider range of tactics to ramp up their ability to prevent these crossings.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1645
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1645

Patrick Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many outstanding asylum claims there are; and what the average time taken is for those claims to reach a final decision. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘asylum detailed datasets’ as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.

Data on the number of claims awaiting an initial decision, broken down by duration, is published in table Asy_D03. The latest data relates to the year ending June 2025. For further information on the data, see the notes pages of the tables.

Data on the average processing times of claims is not currently published.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1646
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1646

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made on the development of a strategy for asylum accommodation; if she will list the other Government departments that are involved in this work; and what steps her Department is taking to consult (a) local authorities, (b) the devolved administrations and (c) relevant community organisations during the development of the strategy. \p Alex Norris: As part of our commitment to end the use of all asylum hotels and reduce costs for taxpayers, the Home Office has been working in collaboration with other government departments and local authorities to develop a more sustainable model of accommodation which seeks to reduce competition for affordable housing and help deliver new supply.

As part of this, the Home Office’s Asylum Accommodation Programme is now working in collaboration with other government departments to deliver a range of sites, including potential former military sites, that contribute to a more flexible estate. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis.

The government is also investing £500 million to develop this new, more sustainable accommodation model. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

We continue to keep the strategy under review as progress continues.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1647
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1647

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many immigrants have been found to be working illegally since 4 July 2024. \p Alex Norris: The relevant statistical figures can be accessed via the official government website at the following link:

Illegal working activity between 5 July 2024 and 28 June 2025 - GOV.UK

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.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1648
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1648

Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will set out (a) how and (b) when local authorities are consulted on the housing of asylum seekers in HMOs by the Home Office and its contractors. \p Alex Norris: The government is committed to reducing reliance on hotels by expanding the overall supply of dispersal and temporary accommodation, including through the private sector.  Local authorities are consulted on all dispersed accommodation before it is procured, including for HMOs. This is a necessary step to meet our legal obligations while being cognisant of local pressures.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1649
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1649

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what the interoperability is of the Compagnie de Marche with UK Border Force. \p Alex Norris: The Compagnie de Marche of enforcement officers has been mobilised, similar to the arrangements that were put in place during the Paris Olympics. The unit’s officers have specialist public order powers to address increases in violence on French beaches. This will enable more dynamic patrols of the shoreline to apprehend smugglers, intercept crossings and prevent loss of life in the Channel.

However, these are French law enforcement units, and it would be inappropriate for the Home Office to comment upon their composition or duties. It is important to emphasise that French law enforcement units necessarily operate independently of UK law enforcement, though there is regular liaison, information exchange, and alignment of operational approaches between the two countries.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1650
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1650

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, how many members of the criminal groups behind the trade have been arrested since the UK-France treaty came into into effect. \p Alex Norris: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) publish a performance overview in their ‘Annual Report and Accounts’. This provides a summary of the NCA’s purpose, objectives and performance during the year.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1651
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1651

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what discussions she has had with the French authorities on the steps they are taking in order to disrupt supplies of equipment to the French coast. \p Alex Norris: In their Joint Declaration of the 37th UK-France Summit on 10 July 2025 the Prime Minister and President Macron committed to deepening UK/France cooperation on tackling irregular migration to the UK.

As a result of the strengthened relationship between the UK and France, the Home Secretary and her French counterpart meet regularly to discuss measures for tackling small boat crossings in the English Channel, including the delivery of the new returns pilot, and the ongoing French maritime review which will deploy novel and innovative approaches to intercept boats.

The Home Office will continue to engage with French counterparts to support the implementation of these measures, with the intention of contributing to efforts aimed at addressing the issue of small boat crossings.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1652
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1652

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what Border Force's operational strategy is to (a) identify and (b) process groups of inadmissible migrants for removal. \p Alex Norris: We do not comment on operations. This would give criminal gangs an insight into our operational processes, undermining the work we are carrying out to deter small boat crossings and tackle the criminal smuggling gangs behind these.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1653
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1653

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to provide (a) safe and (b) supportive accommodation for female asylum seekers. \p Alex Norris: Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a top priority for this Government and our manifesto included the mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

The Home Office will also go further than before to deliver a cross-government transformative approach to halve violence against women and girls, underpinned by a new VAWG strategy to be published this year.

The Home Office works carefully to ensure that the needs and vulnerabilities of those residing in asylum accommodation are identified and considered, including those needs related to mental health and trauma and will use every tool available to target perpetrators and address the root causes of abuse and violence wherever it occurs, including in asylum accommodation.

This government also state our commitment to a gender sensitive asylum system and that we carefully consider the vulnerabilities of all those in our care, which includes previous trauma.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1654
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1654

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many times a court has cited Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights as a reason for non-deportation in the last 12 months; and if she will provide a breakdown of those instances by level of court. \p Alex Norris: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1655
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1655

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reduction in the transition period to 28 days on the ability of refugees to secure accommodation. \p Alex Norris: On 1 September, the 56 days move on pilot implemented in December 2024 was paused for all single adults in receipt of a positive asylum decision, with the exception of individuals who are pregnant, over the age of 65 or have a known/evidenced disability. This action was taken to ensure that the asylum system continues to run efficiently, and to enable us to continue taking action both to reduce the overall number of asylum hotels in different communities, and the number of people staying in them.

We closely monitor the impact of all our policies, including the move on period, on the number and occupancy of asylum hotels, the overall costs of the asylum accommodation estate, the wider effect on local communities, and any pressures placed on local authorities and public amenities. We remain committed to working closely with our partners to identify improvements and make efficiencies in supporting newly recognised refugees move on from asylum accommodation.

The independent evaluation of the pilot is due to conclude imminently, and evaluation outcomes will be used to inform longer term policy proposals and will be shared with parliament.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1656
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1656

Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the advice provided by her Department to Somani Hotels on the need to seek a temporary application for a change of use of the Bell Hotel, Epping. \p Alex Norris: The Department has not provided such advice to Somani Hotels.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1657
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1657

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what each of the clusters of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme are responsible for implementing. \p Alex Norris: Ahead of the roll out of FACT in 2029 when the current AASC contracts end, it was determined that a faster short term measure needed to be introduced to find more non hotel based asylum accommodation, in answer to this need BASP was developed to bridge the current gap in Dispersal Accommodation, support hotel exit and prevent hotel re-entry.

The Asylum Support Payment (ASP) project is aiming to enhance the service for users (c. 79,000) by retendering the service using our framework suppliers. The current contract is delivered by Prepaid Financial Services Limited (PFS) and expires in May 2027.

For FACT we are reprocuring the Accommodation Provision, Accommodation Management including security and sustenance, Transport, Service User Assistance including safeguarding and wellbeing and External Assurance to replace the existing AASC contracts.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1658
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1658

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the number of migrants who have arrived illegally in the UK since 4 August 2025. \p Alex Norris: By its very nature, it is not possible to know the exact number of people who arrive to the UK illegally, and so we do not seek to make any official estimates of this. In June 2019, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a note on ‘measuring illegal migration’.

However, the Home Office does publish statistics on detected irregular arrivals to the UK in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on detected irregular arrivals by method of entry is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK detailed datasets’, with the latest data up to the end of June 2025. Data for July to September 2025 will be published on 27 November 2025. Data on daily small boat arrivals is published at: Small boat activity in the English Channel - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1659
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1659

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's document entitled How many people claim asylum in the UK?, published on 21 August 2025, if she will set the reasons why people claimed asylum increased in 2024. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics quarterly release’. The reason for individual asylum claims is not published. 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. People claim asylum for a variety of reasons including the country situation and individual protection needs.

In recent years, there has been a stark, and rapid increase in net migration, which simply cannot sustain. Later this year we will set out reforms to the asylum system and to border security in response to irregular and illegal migration, including plans for new legislation building on the new measures already set out in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill that is currently progressing through Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1661
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1661

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how her Department (a) disposes of small boats used for illegal channel crossings and (b) ensures that those boats are not (i) retained by and (ii) returned to smuggling gangs. \p Alex Norris: Border Force do not return seized boats/dinghies/engines or lifejackets to France. All vessels that have been subject to seizure, are held by Border Force until the completion of criminal investigations and any resulting legal proceedings. The majority of boats/dinghies are not fit to ever go to sea again, as they arrive in very poor condition and may be damaged during the recovery process. The boats/dinghies/engines are disposed of by Border Force’s approved contractors and where appropriate, any suitable materials are recycled.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1662
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1662

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of replacing the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts as part of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme. \p Alex Norris: Under the Asylum Support and Accommodation Programme (ASAP) now known as Future Asylum Contract Transformation (FACT) Project, a delivery model assessment was undertaken looking at the current Asylum contractual landscape alongside future business needs, this include the current Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC) service due to the integration of these services alongside other core Asylum Business requirements.

As with all Public Sector contracts, re-procurement is required to replace any expiring contracts to ensure value for money solutions to support delivery of future Asylum initiatives.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1663
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1663

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of unsuccessfully appealed rejected initial asylum applications have been (a) returned to their country of origin, (b) returned to France and (c) remain in the UK since 5 July 2024. \p Alex Norris: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1664
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1664

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) adult males, (b) adult females and c) children have arrived via small boat since 5 July 2024. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office publishes statistics on detected irregular arrivals to the UK in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on detected irregular arrivals by method of entry (including small boat arrivals), age group, and sex is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK detailed datasets’, with the latest data up to the end of June 2025.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1665
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1665

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will ensure that her Department does not engage in cooperation over migration control with security forces in (a) Libya and (b) other countries involved in (i) human rights abuses and (ii) violations of international law. \p Alex Norris: We are clear on the need to respect international law and human rights when it comes to managing migration. The UK is working with Libya and other countries on migration and provides support to the most vulnerable migrants, working in partnership with international partners and institutions.

In line with UK Government policy (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a81781be5274a2e87dbdcc0/OSJA_Guidance_2017.pdf) the Government carries out Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) assessments for activity overseas to ensure the UK meets its human rights obligations and values.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1666
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1666

Wendy Chamberlain:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will place in the House of Commons Library all (a) reports, (b) reviews, (c) internal evaluation and (d) evidence gathered in relation to her Department's pilot of a 56-day move period from asylum accommodation for refugees with newly granted status to remain in the UK. \p Alex Norris: The Move-on evaluation report will be published as part of the Home Office Analysis and Insights (HOAI) Research Series subject to satisfactory peer review and Ministerial clearance. The House of Commons library and any member of the public can access all HOAI research reports which are published online here: Research at Home Office - Home Office - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1667
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1667

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many rented properties are procured in each Greater Manchester local authority area by providers contracted by her Department for asylum accommodation. \p Alex Norris: For the safety and security of those we accommodate and staff, it is our longstanding policy not to disclose information about sites which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office.

The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority area. These statistics can be found at Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1668
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1668

Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to collect DNA samples from of all immigrants who enter the country illegally. \p Alex Norris: Biometrics, in the form of fingerprints and facial images, underpin the UK Immigration system to support identity assurance and suitability checks on foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control.

DNA does not form part of our biometric collection
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1669
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1669

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps she has taken to prevent people that illegally enter the UK from being able to work. \p Alex Norris: The Government is leading a UK-wide crackdown on illegal working as part of a whole system approach to tackle illegal migration from every angle.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill introduces tough new laws to clamp down on illegal working.  This means that for the very first time, right to work checks will be extended to cover businesses hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons, courier services and warehousing.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams are intensifying operational activity across the UK to stop businesses hiring people to work illegally.  Since this government came into power, there have been 10,031 illegal working visits to premises and 7,130 arrests have been made, an increase of 48% and 51% compared to the year before (5 July 2023 to 28 June 2024).  In that time, 2,105 civil penalty notices have been issued.

Alongside the Department for Business and Trade, the Home Office is working closely with the major food delivery platforms, including Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, to ensure they understand their responsibilities in using riders who have the right to work in the UK.

Last month the Home Office commenced data sharing with leading food delivery firms. The agreement enables the Home Office to share sensitive location data of the locations of asylum hotels with the firms helping the companies detect and suspend accounts suspected of illegal working, particularly where delivery riders may be sharing accounts with individuals who do not have the legal right to work in the UK.

Finally, the Government has announced the introduction of digital ID this parliament. It is clear that offering access to the UK labour market is part of the approach taken by unscrupulous criminals to profit from facilitating illegal migration. Providing a single system to prove a right to work, will simplify the process and drive-up compliance.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1670
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1670

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department’s policy is on housing of asylum seekers in houses of multiple occupancy. \p Alex Norris: The government is committed to reducing reliance on hotels by expanding the overall supply of dispersal and temporary accommodation, including through the private sector. Local authorities are consulted on all dispersed accommodation before it is procured, including for HMOs. This is a necessary step to meet our legal obligations while being cognisant of local pressures.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1671
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1671

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to reduce the number of asylum seekers living in houses of multiple occupancy. \p Alex Norris: We’re taking decisive action to reduce the asylum backlog, close hotels, and return control of sites to local areas. Our strategy is focused on restoring order and fairness to the system while protecting public safety. The Immigration White Paper sets our measures to reduce inflow to the asylum system, ultimately reducing reliance on accommodation.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1672
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1672

James McMurdock:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the key drivers behind the emigration of highly skilled UK (a) graduates and (b) other workers. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 86.5KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1673
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1673

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many new businesses have registered in (a) England, (b) Lancashire and (c) Fylde constituency in each of the last five years. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 124.0KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1674
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1674

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the Gross Domestic Product of Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency in (a) July 2024 and (b) October 2025. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 83.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1675
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1675

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Office for National Statistics classifies rolling stock leasing liabilities as part of the public sector balance sheet. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 96.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1676
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1676

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many children were victims of (a) all forms of violent assault, (b) battery, (c) actual bodily harm and (d) grievous bodily harm by (i) age and (ii) gender in each year since 2015. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 105.1KB)

Extra statistics table (xlsx, 29.1KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1677
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1677

Sarah Hall:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to improve oversight of the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. \p Anna Turley: The government has taken significant steps to improve both the oversight and enforcement of performance standards in the Civil Service Pension Scheme administration, primarily through the new contract with Capita and enhanced internal controls. Capita has been contracted to assume full administrative responsibilities from 1 December 2025.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1678
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1678

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Manchester Digital Campus project on national security. \p Anna Turley: The Government Property Agency is working with the Cabinet Office to progress a business case for the Manchester Digital Campus (“MDC”). Subject to final approval MDC will form a central component of this Government’s Digital, AI and Innovation Campus in Manchester and would build capacity benefitting multiple Government Missions.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1679
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1679

James McMurdock:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the profit margin obtained by MyCSP in each year of their administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme contract. \p Anna Turley: MyCSP is required to provide updates on profit as part of the gainshare provisions within the contract. MyCSP continues to provide this to the Cabinet Office on a six monthly basis. This information is financially sensitive and is not currently reported in the public domain.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1680
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1680

James McMurdock:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by the National Audit Office entitled Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, published on 16 June 2025, HC 951, what steps he has taken to ensure that changes to (a) staffing levels and (b) other matters within the contract with Capita for the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme are effectively monitored. \p Anna Turley: The government has taken specific steps to ensure that changes to (a) staffing levels and (b) other matters within the Capita contract are effectively monitored. Key measures include setting contractual expectations for sufficient resourcing and establishing robust governance structures and reporting requirements to oversee delivery and continuous improvement.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1681
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1681

James McMurdock:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraph 3.9 of the report by the National Audit Office entitled Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, published on 16 June 2025, HC 951, what further steps he plans to take to ensure that his Department has sufficient commercial levers to influence Capita's administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. \p Anna Turley: The government has taken significant steps to ensure the Cabinet Office has sufficient commercial levers to influence Capita's administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. The new contract provides a more robust and strengthened position that includes a number of levers to address any aspects of under performance by the supplier.

Steps have been built into the new contract primarily through enhanced enforcement mechanisms, new key performance indicators, and financial penalties.

Alongside this we have increased development within the contract management functions to ensure that the overall delivery continues to meet the requirements for the scheme.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1682
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1682

James McMurdock:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraph 3.14 of the report by the National Audit Office entitled Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, published on 16 June 2025, HC 951, when he expects the track my case function to be available for members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. \p Anna Turley: The Cabinet Office expects the ‘Track My Case’ function to be available for members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme after the full service transition to Capita in March 2026.