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1042274

registered interest
date	16/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Overseas Students: English Language
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date his Department awarded ETS a contract to undertake English language tests for overseas students.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	209280
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The Home Affairs Committee inquiry into the Home Office's use of English-language testing in relation to the issuing of visas, with particular reference to its handling of recent allegations involving English-language test centres, can be found in the following links.</p><p><br>Question 60, contains information requested in PQ 209280: <br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36541.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36541.pdf</a></p><p>Annex C contains information requested in PQ 209281:<br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36543.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36543.pdf</a></p><p>Question 25 in the following link contains information requested in PQ 209282:<br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/33662.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/33662.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 209281 209282 209283 question first answered 21/01/2019 16:41:26 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1042275

registered interest
date	16/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Overseas Students: English Language
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements his Department has put in place to monitor performance on the contract awarded to ETS to undertake English language tests for overseas students.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	209281
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The Home Affairs Committee inquiry into the Home Office's use of English-language testing in relation to the issuing of visas, with particular reference to its handling of recent allegations involving English-language test centres, can be found in the following links.</p><p><br>Question 60, contains information requested in PQ 209280: <br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36541.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36541.pdf</a></p><p>Annex C contains information requested in PQ 209281:<br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36543.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36543.pdf</a></p><p>Question 25 in the following link contains information requested in PQ 209282:<br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/33662.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/33662.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 209280 209282 209283 question first answered 21/01/2019 16:41:26 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1042276

registered interest
date	16/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Overseas Students: 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 many bidders were considered by his Department in the procurement exercise which led to a contract being awarded to ETS to undertake English language tests for overseas students.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	209282
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The Home Affairs Committee inquiry into the Home Office's use of English-language testing in relation to the issuing of visas, with particular reference to its handling of recent allegations involving English-language test centres, can be found in the following links.</p><p><br>Question 60, contains information requested in PQ 209280: <br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36541.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36541.pdf</a></p><p>Annex C contains information requested in PQ 209281:<br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36543.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36543.pdf</a></p><p>Question 25 in the following link contains information requested in PQ 209282:<br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/33662.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/33662.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 209280 209281 209283 question first answered 21/01/2019 16:41:26 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1042277

registered interest
date	16/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Overseas Students: English Language
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the value was of the contract awarded to ETS to undertake English language tests for overseas students.
tabling member constituency	East Ham
tabling member printed	Stephen Timms
uin	209283
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The Home Affairs Committee inquiry into the Home Office's use of English-language testing in relation to the issuing of visas, with particular reference to its handling of recent allegations involving English-language test centres, can be found in the following links.</p><p><br>Question 60, contains information requested in PQ 209280: <br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36541.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36541.pdf</a></p><p>Annex C contains information requested in PQ 209281:<br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36543.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/36543.pdf</a></p><p>Question 25 in the following link contains information requested in PQ 209282:<br><a href="http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/33662.pdf" target="_blank">http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/english-language-testing/written/33662.pdf</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 209280 209281 209282 question first answered 21/01/2019 16:41:26 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1042300

registered interest
date	16/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
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 commission an independent review of the (a) adequacy, (b) cost effectiveness and (c) effect on the diversity of students of credibility interviews within the student immigration system.
tabling member constituency	Aberdeen South
tabling member printed	Ross Thomson
uin	209352
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>An internal review of point of application credibility interviews for interna-tional students was conducted in 2018 to ensure that interviews are adding value to the case consideration process and not unnecessarily inconven-iencing customers. Up to date risk information was factored in to this review. Regular engagement with universities and other educational institutions en-sures that feedback is collected in relation to the application process.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 21/01/2019 18:00:05 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4599 label Biography information for Ross Thomson

1041630

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Children
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 4 December 2018 to Question 195486 on guardianship for unaccompanied and separated children, what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve the (i) quality and (ii) timeliness of asylum decision making and (b) to ensure that decision makers understand the effects trauma can have on unaccompanied young people navigating the asylum system.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	208875
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office takes its responsibility for the welfare of children very seriously, including ensuring that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in every decision taken in respect of the child. We are committed to ensuring that all asylum claims are considered without unnecessary delay, so that those who need protection are granted as soon as possible and can start to integrate and rebuild their lives.</p><p>We continue to work to improve the quality of decision-making to ensure that we get decisions right the first time and that we properly consider all evidence provided.</p><p>We aim to reduce the proportion of allowed appeals by analysing the reasons and using this to inform and further improve guidance and training. Similarly, the Home Office’s country information and guidance is kept under review.</p><p>UKVI has an internal audit process which assesses the quality of decisions, interviews and the application of Home Office policy. We have Senior Case Worker assessments as well as independent auditors from the Central Operations Assurance Team who audit asylum cases and provide quarterly reports.</p><p>We have plans to improve the speed at which outstanding asylum claims are decided. These include rolling recruitment campaigns to maintain decision maker levels, a staff retention strategy to ensure it retains its highly skilled asylum decision makers, and the further expansion of digital processes to increase case working flexibility.</p><p>All asylum decision-makers who consider accompanied and unaccompanied young people’s cases must attend a three day Keeping Children Safe: Tier 3 course. Part of this course is dedicated to educating decision-makers<br> so that they can appreciate the complex psychology of asylum-seeking children. Included in this section of the course is a consideration of the effects of trauma on young children navigating the asylum system.</p><p>All decision makers also receive extensive training on how to interview asylum seekers in a sensitive way and consider the claim for sustainable decisions to be reached. We ensure that claimants are given every opportunity to disclose information relevant to their claim before a decision is taken, even where that information may be sensitive or difficult to disclose.</p><p>The Home Office monitors its processes to ensure that it adheres to the very stringent statutory and policy safeguards in place regarding unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. The children’s asylum process differs to the adult process and was designed around the additional needs of children.</p><p>While in the UK, unaccompanied children are looked after by local authorities who have a statutory duty to ensure that they safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, regardless of their immigration status or nationality. Under these arrangements, children are assessed with regard to their individual needs and provided with access to education, accommodation and health services, as would be provided to any other looked after child in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 208876 question first answered 23/01/2019 14:50:36 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1041631

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Children
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 publish any internal reviews undertaken by his Department on the effects of the asylum process on unaccompanied and separated children navigating the asylum system alone.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	208876
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2019 answer text <p>The Home Office takes its responsibility for the welfare of children very seriously, including ensuring that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in every decision taken in respect of the child. We are committed to ensuring that all asylum claims are considered without unnecessary delay, so that those who need protection are granted as soon as possible and can start to integrate and rebuild their lives.</p><p>We continue to work to improve the quality of decision-making to ensure that we get decisions right the first time and that we properly consider all evidence provided.</p><p>We aim to reduce the proportion of allowed appeals by analysing the reasons and using this to inform and further improve guidance and training. Similarly, the Home Office’s country information and guidance is kept under review.</p><p>UKVI has an internal audit process which assesses the quality of decisions, interviews and the application of Home Office policy. We have Senior Case Worker assessments as well as independent auditors from the Central Operations Assurance Team who audit asylum cases and provide quarterly reports.</p><p>We have plans to improve the speed at which outstanding asylum claims are decided. These include rolling recruitment campaigns to maintain decision maker levels, a staff retention strategy to ensure it retains its highly skilled asylum decision makers, and the further expansion of digital processes to increase case working flexibility.</p><p>All asylum decision-makers who consider accompanied and unaccompanied young people’s cases must attend a three day Keeping Children Safe: Tier 3 course. Part of this course is dedicated to educating decision-makers<br> so that they can appreciate the complex psychology of asylum-seeking children. Included in this section of the course is a consideration of the effects of trauma on young children navigating the asylum system.</p><p>All decision makers also receive extensive training on how to interview asylum seekers in a sensitive way and consider the claim for sustainable decisions to be reached. We ensure that claimants are given every opportunity to disclose information relevant to their claim before a decision is taken, even where that information may be sensitive or difficult to disclose.</p><p>The Home Office monitors its processes to ensure that it adheres to the very stringent statutory and policy safeguards in place regarding unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. The children’s asylum process differs to the adult process and was designed around the additional needs of children.</p><p>While in the UK, unaccompanied children are looked after by local authorities who have a statutory duty to ensure that they safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, regardless of their immigration status or nationality. Under these arrangements, children are assessed with regard to their individual needs and provided with access to education, accommodation and health services, as would be provided to any other looked after child in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes grouped question UIN 208875 question first answered 23/01/2019 14:50:36 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1041633

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Entry Clearances: 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 plans his Department has to introduce a post-study work visa which allows up to two years of work experience for international students in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	208878
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2019 answer text <p>The independent Migration Advisory Committee’s report on international students, published in September 2018, recommended against the introduction of a separate post-study work visa. The report also made several positive recommendations with regard to the current post-study work offer.</p><p>As set out in the Immigration White Paper, published last month, under the new student route all students studying at a Masters’ level, or at Bachelors’ level at an institution with degree awarding powers, will be eligible for a six-month post study leave period. Doctoral students will be eligible for a 12-month post study leave period. This will benefit tens of thousands of international students by providing them with more time to gain valuable experience or find employment in the UK in accordance with the skilled work migration routes.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 23/01/2019 15:01:56 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1041634

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there will be an independent review of credibility interviews within the student immigration system to ensure the system is (a) fit for purpose, (b) cost effective relative to current risk and (c) does not hinder universities’ ability to recruit a diverse range of students.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	208879
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/01/2019 answer text <p>An internal review of point of application credibility interviews for international students was conducted in 2018 to ensure that interviews are adding value to the case consideration process and not unnecessarily inconveniencing customers.</p><p>Up to date risk information was factored in to this review. Regular engagement with universities and other educational institutions ensures that feedback is collected in relation to the application process.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 23/01/2019 14:54:35 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1041774

registered interest
date	15/01/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to review the option of introducing a post-study work visa allowing up to two years of work experience for international students in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
uin	208943
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2019 answer text <p>The independent Migration Advisory Committee’s report on international students, published in September 2018, recommended against the introduction of a separate post-study work visa. The report also made several positive recommendations with regard to the current post-study work offer.</p><p>As set out in the Immigration White Paper, published last month, under the new student route all students studying at a Masters’ level, or at Bachelors’ level at an institution with degree awarding powers, will be eligible for a six-month post study leave period. Doctoral students will be eligible for a 12-month post study leave period. This will benefit tens of thousands of international students by providing them with more time to gain valuable experience or find employment in the UK in accordance with the skilled work migration routes.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 21/01/2019 16:35:58 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens