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1133401

	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
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost is of the super priority service for visa applications to the UK in each country that those visas are issued.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester East
	tabling member printed	Keith Vaz
	uin	266660
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>The fees for the priority visa application services for applications made outside the UK are:</p><p>£573 for priority settlement service,<br>£220 for priority visa service (other than settlement), and <br>£956 for super priority visa service for decisions within one working day</p><p>These fees are applicable equally across all countries, irrespective of where the application is made.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 266658 266659 266661 question first answered 28/06/2019 12:51:11 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	338 label Biography information for Keith Vaz

1134037

	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: Fees and Charges
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason his Department decided to charge visa applicants £5.48 for email inquiries.
	tabling member constituency	Arfon
	tabling member printed	Hywel Williams
	uin	268417
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The £5.48 email charge is levied to fund the UKVI contact centre commercial contract as the UK government believes it is right that those who use and benefit directly from the UK immigration system make an appropriate contribution towards meeting the costs of it. This email charge includes the initial e-mail enquiry plus any follow-up e-mails to and from the contact centre relating to the same enquiry.</p><p>The international charge (£5.48 per email enquiry) was introduced on 1st June 2017 as part of the UKVI Contact Centre operations contract awarded to SITEL UK Ltd</p><p>Those who use the services are predominantly from outside the UK. Our web site <a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a> is the main source of information and advice and is free of charge.</p><p>Further details of the financial arrangement in place between the Home Office and SITEL UK Ltd for the provision of Contact Centre Services (UK and International) is not available due to it being commercially sensitive.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 02/07/2019 15:52:38 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	1397 label Biography information for Hywel Williams

1135339

	registered interest
	date	27/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration: EU Nationals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons data disaggregated by protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 is not included in his Department's monthly official statistics on the operation of the EU Settlement Scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
	tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
	uin	270379
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/07/2019 answer text <p>The second official statistics – ‘EU Settlement Scheme Statistics, May 2019’ – on the operation of the scheme were published on 20 June 2019, including applications received by nationality and constituent parts of the UK. These can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics-may-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics-may-2019</a></p><p>The Home Office is committed to publishing more detailed quarterly statistics on the EU Settlement Scheme, alongside our Immigration Statistics, from August 2019. Home Office statisticians and officials are currently considering the content and will take into account the views of statistics users.</p><p>The application process for the EU Settlement Scheme collects data on the applicant’s date of birth, nationality and, where appropriate, marital or civil partnership status. Other data on protected characteristics may be processed as part of the application.</p><p>In accordance with the public sector equality duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the Government continues to have due regard to the impacts of the EU Settlement Scheme on those who share a protected characteristic. A Policy Equality Statement, which sets out the Government’s consideration of the impacts of the scheme on those who share such a characteristic, will be published shortly.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 270377 270378 270380 question first answered 02/07/2019 15:57:53 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1132940

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Post Office: Biometrics
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons there has been a three month extension from 31 March 2019 to the Post Office's contract to provide biometric services for his Department.
	tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
	tabling member printed	Alan Brown
	uin	266236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/06/2019 answer text <p>The Authority extended the concession agreement with the Post Office Ltd for the provision of Front Office Services from 31st March 2019 to 31st July 2019. The Post Office Ltd concession was extended to ensure continuity of service and no disruption to customers during the transition to the new UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service Centres (UKVAS) contract which was signed on 12th April 2018.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 21/06/2019 12:37:16 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1136334

	registered interest
	date	02/07/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how he plans to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate the support for newly recognised refugees under the new asylum advice and accommodation contracts.
	tabling member constituency	Bedford
	tabling member printed	Mohammad Yasin
	uin	272263
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/07/2019 answer text <p>Accommodation and support services will continue for 28 days from when an asylum seeker has been granted asylum. During this period the Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) Provider, Migrant Help, will assist newly recognised refugees to access local housing and benefit services through their dedicated ‘Move-On’ service. Within one working day of notification of the decision by the Home Office, Migrant Help will contact newly recognised refugees to help prepare them for their new lives in the UK.</p><p>This improved service includes: providing information on the length of ‘grace period’ and next steps on support, accommodation and employment; booking an appointment with the local Department of Work and Pensions office for a ‘work focussed interview’; signposting Service Users to the relevant Local Authority housing team; and providing information on, and signposting Service Users to, relevant public services, local support networks and voluntary sector organisations.</p><p>As part of the AIRE contracts, this service, will include clearly defined performance standards measured through a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set within a wider Performance Management Regime (PMR). These KPIs will be monitored formally at Contract Management meetings between the providers and representatives of UK Visas and Immigration and will be supported by a rigorous contract compliance regime that will ensure that the required performance standards are met.</p><p>The Home Office and its Provider remains committed to working in partnership with local government and civil society to evaluate, develop and improve services.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 10/07/2019 15:31:59 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4598 label Biography information for Mohammad Yasin

1137031

	registered interest
	date	04/07/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how his Department plans to record complaints by service users during the transition period between asylum accommodation contracts; and whether that information will be made public.
	tabling member constituency	Middlesbrough
	tabling member printed	Andy McDonald
	uin	273394
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Under the new Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC) and Advice Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) contracts, all issues and complaints raised by Service Users will be managed by the AIRE provider thereby simplifying the system for the service user and allowing for a clearer understanding of roles and responsibilities. The AIRE provider will be responsible for capturing, logging and referring feedback and complaints to the AASC Provider or Home Office for resolution, in a timely manner in line with the Key Performance Indicators underpinning the AASC and AIRE contracts.</p><p>The AIRE provider will work closely with Service Users to ensure they are aware of the action being taken to resolve the complaint and communicate any delays in resolution where the complaint may be complex. If the AIRE and AASC provider is unable to resolve a Service User complaint within a timely manner, this can be escalated to the Home Office for action where appropriate. The Home Office reserves the right to undertake an independent investigation into any Service User requests for support or complaints, and the Accommodation Provider’s performance in responding and implementing actions in response to such requests for support or complaints.</p><p>The Home Office and Providers will monitor all complaints raised throughout the transition period and beyond and will continue to engage with Local Authorities through the Regional Strategic Migration Partnerships to listen to and act in response to any wider concerns raised, ensuring swift and appropriate action. The Home Office does not routinely publish data in relation to asylum complaints.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 09/07/2019 14:17:56 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4269 label Biography information for Andy McDonald

1136690

	registered interest
	date	03/07/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Housing
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how his Department plans to record complaints during the transition period between asylum accommodation contracts; and whether that information will be published.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	272834
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/07/2019 answer text <p>Under the new Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts (AASC) and Advice Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) contracts, all issues and complaints raised by Service Users will be managed by the AIRE provider thereby simplifying the system for the service user and allowing for a clearer understanding of roles and responsibilities. The AIRE provider will be responsible for capturing, logging and referring feedback and complaints to the AASC Provider or Home Office for resolution, in a timely manner in line with the Key Performance Indicators underpinning the AASC and AIRE contracts.</p><p>The AIRE provider will work closely with Service Users to ensure they are aware of the action being taken to resolve the complaint and communicate any delays in resolution where the complaint may be complex. If the AIRE and AASC provider is unable to resolve a Service User complaint within a timely manner, this can be escalated to the Home Office for action where appropriate. The Home Office reserves the right to undertake an independent investigation into any Service User requests for support or complaints, and the Accommodation Provider’s performance in responding and implementing actions in response to such requests for support or complaints.</p><p>The Home Office and Providers will monitor all complaints raised throughout the transition period and beyond and will continue to engage with Local Authorities through the Regional Strategic Migration Partnerships to listen to and act in response to any wider concerns raised, ensuring swift and appropriate action. The Home Office does not routinely publish data in relation to asylum complaints.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 09/07/2019 11:20:16 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1132254

	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	Migrant Workers: English Language
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how language competency will be taken into account as a key skill in the skilled workers route under a new immigration framework.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
	tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
	uin	264761
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/06/2019 answer text <p>In December 2018, the Government set out its proposals in “the UK’s future Skills-based Immigration System” White Paper. The White Paper proposals include a new route for skilled workers which will be open to anyone at RQF level 3 and above, irrespective of where they are applying from. The White Paper is clear that those applying in this route will be subject to an assessment of their language skills in order to support integration.</p><p>The Shortage Occupation List (SOL), is based on expert advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) and identifies those occupations deemed to be in national shortage. It does not include a separate language assessment. The MAC published their most recent review of the full SOL on the 29 May. The Government is grateful to the MAC for a comprehensive report, the content of which we are now considering.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 264762 question first answered 19/06/2019 13:39:52 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1137634

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Sleeping Rough
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) Border Force and (b) other staff from his Department are assigned to the Rough Sleeper Support Service programme.
	tabling member constituency	Oxford West and Abingdon
	tabling member printed	Layla Moran
	uin	274618
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The establishment of the Rough Sleeping Support Service (RSSS) was announced as part of the Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy in August 2018. The RSSS was set up to act as a central point of contact for local <br>authorities to help them to establish the immigration status of non-UK national rough sleepers and for the Home Office to prioritise any outstanding immigration cases, which might unlock entitlement to support and enable them to get off the streets. The service is not an enforcement approach but the Home Office may consider action on a case-by-case basis where individuals have exhausted all other avenues and are unwilling to leave the UK voluntarily. This is in line with existing immigration law.</p><p>Removals of non-UK rough sleepers cannot be disaggregated in the published statistics on the removal of those without lawful status. It is also not possible to directly attribute removals to interaction with the RSSS because a range of factors will have affected how decisions were reached in these cases. A person’s removal from the UK is determined by their immigration status and circumstances, including unwillingness to depart voluntarily, not by contact with the RSSS.</p><p>The Home Office has engaged with a wide range of local authorities and charities in and outside of London to explain how the RSSS can assist with swift immigration status checks, help those here lawfully to evidence this fact to unlock access to support and assist with those who wish to leave the UK.</p><p>Most of the cases referred to the RSSS have been internal referrals from within the Home Office. We have been developing processes to ensure all data sharing with other organisations is fully GDPR-compliant. This includes the requirement to ensure that rough sleepers are advised and informed about the possible use of their information by the Home Office.</p><p>The RSSS is a mixed grade team of fewer than five staff, none of whom is from Border Force. It does not undertake any enforcement action. It has an administrative role, conducting status checks, identifying cases for <br>prioritisation and ensuring that other parts of the Home Office are able to provide assistance to those who require evidence of their lawful status or assistance in leaving the UK.</p><p>The Home Office assigned existing staff to the RSSS team and no extra resources were required.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 274615 274616 274617 274619 question first answered 11/07/2019 14:31:26 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	4656 label Biography information for Layla Moran

1132126

	registered interest
	date	13/06/2019
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Asylum: Afghanistan
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Afghanistani interpreters who worked for (a) British forces and (b) NATO forces during the Afghanistan conflict have been granted asylum in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Tottenham
	tabling member printed	Mr David Lammy
	uin	264302
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office are unable to report on how many Afghanistani interpreters who worked for (a) British Forces and (b) NATO forces during the Afghanistan conflict, have been granted asylum in the UK. This information is recorded on individual Home Office files, but not in a way that can be easily retrieved, and this information could only be obtained at disproportionate costs.</p><p><br>The Home Office does publish data on those who have been granted asylum in the UK, for main applicants broken down by country of nationality, including those from Afghanistan. The latest release published 24th May 2019, can be found in tab as_01 at volume 1 of the quarterly Immigration Statistics release:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2019/list-of-tables#asylum" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2019/list-of-tables#asylum</a></p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 18/06/2019 15:51:58 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
	tabling member	206 label Biography information for Mr David Lammy