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1131776

	registered interest
	date	12/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Windrush Generation: Compensation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much his Department has spent on advertising the Windrush Compensation scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
	tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
	uin	263879
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office has a programme of engagement in place to promote the Windrush Compensation Scheme. We have a designated team tasked with engaging with communities. Our publicity efforts are targeted at potential claimants under the Scheme rather than a wider audience. We have issued press notices, offered articles to key diaspora publications and engaged in social media activity. We are also exploring targeted paid media to promote the scheme.</p><p>We are working with local councils, MPs, religious and community groups to raise awareness through a series of engagement events. 14 such events have taken place to date and more are planned. The events are publicised on Gov.UK and publicity material is made available to local authorities and representative bodies.</p><p>Targeted publicity is the most effective way of informing prospective Windrush claimants about the Scheme. In terms of direct spend on advertising, we do not readily have data on the total cost of all our activities to publicise the Compensation Scheme as this includes design and production of posters and wallet cards, radio advertisements and staff and travel costs associated with organising and <br>participating in events.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 17/06/2019 10:11:09 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens

1133137

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Scotland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, where the assisted digital locations in Scotland will be; and what type of visa applicants will be able to use that service.
	tabling member constituency	Aberdeen North
	tabling member printed	Kirsty Blackman
	uin	266700
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>Since September 2017, UK Visas &amp; Immigration has offered customers across the UK a free ‘Assisted Digital’ service. The service is designed to help people who need to use UK Visas &amp; Immigration online services but don’t have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to do so on their own. Support can be provided over the phone, at a local centre or in home with a trained tutor.</p><p>As of the 20th June, across the UK, there are over 300 centres across the UK supplemented by a network of over 60 tutors. In Scotland, there are 2 tutors offering in home support and 43 centres offering face to face support.</p><p>Customers should contact the Assisted Digital helpline on 03333 445 675 or by texting the word “VISA” to 07537 416 944 and they will be able to advise on the closest support centre. <br>The Assisted Digital service is available to all UKVI customers except for those applying through the following immigration routes, as support should be provided to them by their sponsoring employers or colleges</p><p>• Tier 1 (including entrepreneur and exceptional talent)<br>• Tier 2 (people working for a specific employer in the UK)<br>• Tier 4 (students in the UK)<br>In January 2019 the service was extended to support EU citizens and their family members applying for the EU Settlement Scheme.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 27/06/2019 14:46:02 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4357 label Biography information for Kirsty Blackman

1127094

	registered interest
	date	16/05/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Overseas Students
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Tier 4 visa applications are treated equitably in respect of (a) country of application and (b) intended place of study.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle-under-Lyme
	tabling member printed	Paul Farrelly
	uin	255294
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>Tier 4 visa applications are assessed in accordance with the Immigration Rules. Applicants are treated equitably and must meet the same requirements to qualify for leave under a given Tier 4 route and type of sponsor. Nationals of countries listed in Appendix H are subject to reduced documentary requirements although they must meet the same substantive requirements as other nationals. This list is kept under review and we may add or remove countries and competent authorities based on objective criteria. Applicants intending to study at Tier 4 Visa Pilot Scheme institutions are also subject to reduced documentary requirements.</p><p>We will keep the visa application process for international students under review, with the aim of improving the customer journey both for students and their sponsoring institutions. This will include reviewing processes for conducting interviews to ensure that these are appropriately focussed and to minimise any inconvenience for applicants.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 21/05/2019 13:03:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	1436 label Biography information for Paul Farrelly

1132235

	registered interest
	date	14/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Overseas Students
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2019 to Question 258941, on Visas: Migrant Workers, what guidance his Department has provided to Sopra Steria on managing the anticipated increase in the number of student visa applications in September 2019.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	264713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>UKVI hasset out clear expectations to Sopra Steria on the provision of the service during the student surge from September. UKVI are working closely with Sopra Steria to ensure that any additional services are delivered at the appropriate times and location in order to meet demand. This preparation work has included providing Sopra Steria with historical data on student applications volumes to support their planning.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 19/06/2019 13:37:27 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Stephen Timms

1134010

	registered interest
	date	24/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Overseas Students
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of whether out-of-country appeals are appropriate for students to challenge visa revocations as a result of allegations of cheating in the TOEIC English language test.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	268346
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>In 2017, the Court of Appeal in the case of Ahsan found that an out of country appeal was not effective where the person was refused on the basis of alleged cheating in a TOEIC English language test, because there was no mechanism to give oral evidence in place at that time.</p><p>There is a small cohort of people who did leave the UK and have lodged an appeal from overseas and we have been working with HM Courts and Tribunals Service to ensure that they can have an effective appeal, including providing video links where appropriate. These appellants can apply to the tribunal hearing their case to indicate if they want to give live evidence. It is then for the tribunal to decide whether the arrangements the Home Office is able to put in place are sufficient or whether it is necessary for the individu-al to return to the UK for their appeal. There have been a number of hear-ings held abroad using video link and the courts have found that this enabled the appellant to give evidence effectively.</p><p>Following the changes to the appeals system made in the Immigration Act 2014, appeals can only be brought where claims raising asylum, humanitarian protection or human rights claims are refused; where protection status is revoked; in EEA cases and for deprivation of citizenship. Some of those refused on the basis of alleged cheating have made human rights claims and will have an in country right of appeal if refused (unless the claim is clearly unfounded).</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 27/06/2019 15:24:07 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Stephen Timms

1131314

	registered interest
	date	11/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Offenders
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visa applicants were refused entry to the UK due to criminal convictions in each of the last two years.
	tabling member constituency	Upper Bann
	tabling member printed	David Simpson
	uin	263124
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>UKVI do not publish statistics detailing reasons for refusal of visa applications. With regard to criminal convictions, there are different grounds under which visa applications may be refused, see:<br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/general-grounds-for-refusal-modernised-guidance" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/general-grounds-for-refusal-modernised-guidance</a></p><p>The available information on grants and refusals of entry clearance visas, are published in the quarterly Immigration Statistics, Visas volume 1 tables vi_01_q, latest edition at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2019/list-of-tables" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2019/list-of-tables</a></p><p> </p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 18/06/2019 15:45:14 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	1597 label Biography information for David Simpson

1133375

	registered interest
	date	19/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Ministers of Religion
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions his Department has had with (a) representatives of the Scottish Government, (b) Scottish local authorities (c) the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (d) other Scottish local authority organisations, (e) Scottish Clergy and (f) other religious organisations in advance of the implementation of changes to the Immigration Rules in relation to Tier (i) 2 and (ii) 5 religious workers visas.
	tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
	tabling member printed	Mhairi Black
	uin	266843
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government values the contributions made by religious institutions, to communities across the UK and my officials remain in regular contact with representatives from a range of faith and community groups. <br>I recognise the importance of hearing directly from religious leaders to ensure that the immigration system works for all. Therefore, I am hosting a meeting next month with representatives of a broad-range of faith communities to provide an opportunity to listen to their concerns and share ideas on the future system.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 27/06/2019 14:47:00 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4421 label Biography information for Mhairi Black

1129217

	registered interest
	date	03/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Migrant Workers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Sopra Steria in handling UK visa applications for migrants living and working in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
	uin	258941
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2019 answer text <p>UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service Centres are run by Sopra Steria Ltd (SSL) on behalf of UK Visas &amp; Immigration (UKVI). The new service offered by SSL provides a modernised, digital and more secure process for customers to submit key evidence and personal information.</p><p>UKVCAS also provides an opportunity for migrants living and working in the UK to opt for priority services to speed up their application decision and purchase additional, optional services from SSL to enhance the overall experience. UKVI regularly monitor SSL performance through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the contract. Currently SSL are experiencing some demand issues, but I can reassure you that SSL continue to assess customer demand, working closely with UKVI.</p><p>As a result SSL have recently opened three additional service points in Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester to meet the demand in the surrounding areas. In addition, to increasing the number of service points, SSL are working with the existing network of UKVCAS centres to increase the number of appointments offered to customers to increase overall capacity.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 06/06/2019 15:52:37 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Stephen Timms

1132256

	registered interest
	date	14/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Migrant Workers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to extend the proposed transitional measure of a time-limited route for temporary short-term workers from 12 months to three years.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	264763
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>The Government published its White Paper “The UK’s future skills-based immigration system” on 19 December 2018, which proposed a new route for short-term workers to come to the UK for up to 12 months. This will be subject to a full review by 2025.</p><p><br>In the interim, we have launched a year-long programme of engagement to enable businesses and other stakeholders to shape the final details of policy and processes contained within the White Paper.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 19/06/2019 13:41:46 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1127476

	registered interest
	date	20/05/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Visas: Mental Health
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department takes to safeguard visa applicants from stress and other mental health problems which occur as a result of delayed decisions and other complications in the application process.
	tabling member constituency	Streatham
	tabling member printed	Chuka Umunna
	uin	256324
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/05/2019 answer text <p>Comprehensive guidance is published on GOV.UK on the visa application process. This includes information regarding our Customer Service Standards (CSS) timescales for processing visa applications.</p><p>If an application is complex or delayed for any reason, Visas &amp; Citizenship staff contact the applicant and inform them if it is anticipated that the CSS will not be met.</p><p>Applicants can contact V&amp;C should the need arise. Contact details are published on the GOV.UK website here: <br><a href="https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk</a></p><p>If V&amp;C are made aware of any compelling or compassionate circumstances, consideration will be given to expediting assessment of the application, where appropriate and possible.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 29/05/2019 14:26:29 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4128 label Biography information for Chuka Umunna