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1723101

registered interest
date	23/07/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Palestinians
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of proposals for a temporary Palestinians visa scheme.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL267
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/08/2024 answer text <p>The government is keeping all existing pathways under review in response to events in Gaza.</p> answering member printed Lord Hanson of Flint question first answered 06/08/2024 14:51:12 answering member 533 label Biography information for Lord Hanson of Flint
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1722209

registered interest
date	18/07/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Digital Technology
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect to publish the equality impact assessment for the transition to eVisas, which is already underway.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL136
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2024 answer text <p>An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was completed on the first phase of the roll out of eVisas to EEA nationals on 9 November 2020, which built on the Policy Equality Statement (PES) for the EUSS which was produced in 2017 and published on the gov.uk website on 18 November 2020:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-policy-equality-statement/policy-equality-statement-eu-settlement-scheme" target="_blank">Policy equality statement: EU Settlement Scheme (accessible version) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).</a></p>A separate EIA considering equalities issues in relation to the use of digital only right to work and rent checks was published on gov.uk in June 2022: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-only-right-to-work-and-rent-checks-equality-impact-assessment/digital-only-right-to-work-and-rent-checks-equality-impact-assessment-accessible#:~:text=In%20line%20with%20the%20Public,BRPs)%20from%206%20April%202022." target="_blank">Digital only right to work and rent checks: equality impact assessment (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).</a><p> </p><p>We are also in the process of reviewing our eVisas EIA, setting out further analysis of the equalities issues in relation to the proposed prioritisation plan for roll out of eVisas and ceasing to issue physical documents. We plan to publish an up-to-date version of this EIA on gov.uk in a due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Hanson of Flint attachment 1 file name EUSS_PES_November_2020.pdf title Policy equality statement: EU Settlement Scheme 2 file name 20210917_BRC_BRP_EIA_word.pdf title Digital only right to work and rent checks: EIA question first answered 01/08/2024 14:02:35 answering member 533 label Biography information for Lord Hanson of Flint
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1722210

registered interest
date	18/07/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Digital Technology
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, regarding the transition to eVisas, what steps they are taking to ensure that individuals who miss an application deadline due to difficulties in accessing their digital status, will not lose their leave to remain or are otherwise penalised as a result.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL137
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2024 answer text <p>As part of our move to a ‘digital by default’ border and immigration system, physical immigration documents are being replaced by fully digital eVisas (an online record of the person’s immigration status).</p><p> </p><p>We understand some customers may feel apprehensive about transitioning to and navigating a digital system. We have already put a range of measures in place to support vulnerable and digitally excluded customers, including Assisted Digital support for account creation; ‘helper’ and ‘proxy’ roles who can assist with specific tasks or manage an account for the customer; and a dedicated contact centre that can help customers to access or recover their account, update their personal details or share immigration status information on their behalf if they are unable to do so.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, we have a dedicated programme of grant funding, which will enable organisations to support vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness, to create UKVI accounts and accessing their eVisas. We expect these grant funded organisations to be operational by Autumn. Further details about the organisations will be published on gov.uk in due course.</p><p> </p><p>We are working collaboratively with a range of third-party stakeholders who offer support to people requiring assistance in creating a UKVI account and accessing their eVisa. Information on accessing this support is<a href="https://www.gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applications" target="_blank"> available on gov.uk</a>.</p><p> </p><p>We will not curtail a person’s permission to stay in the UK if they fail to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. For many, the end 2024 deadline will have no impact; most people don’t need to prove their immigration status on a day-to-day basis, and many of the checks performed will be unaffected by the expiry of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). BRP holders will still be able to use the online right to work and rent services to prove their rights once their BRP expires – provided they still have valid status – although we will encourage them to register for a UKVI account to access those services instead. If a customer cannot create an account before their BRP expires at the end of 2024, they will still be able to create a UKVI account quickly and easily after that date, using their expired BRP if needed.</p><p> </p><p>While we are encouraging people who were issued with older forms of evidence of immigration status, such as ink stamps in passports, to transition to eVisas, they will still be able to prove their rights as they do today, using their legacy documents where these are permitted. That will not change at the end of the year.</p><p> </p><p>The No Time Limit (NTL) process is for people with historic (legacy) status who want to upgrade to a modern, digital product and take advantage of its benefits, as well as for those who have lost their BRP or whose BRP has expired. Currently, we give them a BRP at the end of the process, whereas in the future they will be issued an eVisa, which will streamline the process.</p><p>Requests for evidence in such cases are an opportunity for the person to show that their leave has not lapsed and are conducted in line with the existing published guidance. We apply a balance of probabilities approach and exercise discretion where appropriate. We will also continue to support customers, especially those who may be vulnerable, including via our Assisted Digital service which is available in the UK to provide individual support by phone and email to individuals who require assistance with IT-related aspects of transitioning to eVisas.</p><p> </p><p>Further information about eVisas and future updates will be available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/evisa" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/evisa</a>.</p> answering member printed Lord Hanson of Flint grouped question UIN HL138 HL140 question first answered 01/08/2024 13:59:42 answering member 533 label Biography information for Lord Hanson of Flint
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1722211

registered interest
date	18/07/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration: Applications
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what support will be in place for the 200,000 people, as estimated by the Home Office, with old paper legacy documents to make a 'no time limit' application, taking into account the particular needs of elderly and vulnerable individuals who may struggle to provide evidence of their residence or navigate the process without legal advice.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL138
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2024 answer text <p>As part of our move to a ‘digital by default’ border and immigration system, physical immigration documents are being replaced by fully digital eVisas (an online record of the person’s immigration status).</p><p> </p><p>We understand some customers may feel apprehensive about transitioning to and navigating a digital system. We have already put a range of measures in place to support vulnerable and digitally excluded customers, including Assisted Digital support for account creation; ‘helper’ and ‘proxy’ roles who can assist with specific tasks or manage an account for the customer; and a dedicated contact centre that can help customers to access or recover their account, update their personal details or share immigration status information on their behalf if they are unable to do so.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, we have a dedicated programme of grant funding, which will enable organisations to support vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness, to create UKVI accounts and accessing their eVisas. We expect these grant funded organisations to be operational by Autumn. Further details about the organisations will be published on gov.uk in due course.</p><p> </p><p>We are working collaboratively with a range of third-party stakeholders who offer support to people requiring assistance in creating a UKVI account and accessing their eVisa. Information on accessing this support is<a href="https://www.gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applications" target="_blank"> available on gov.uk</a>.</p><p> </p><p>We will not curtail a person’s permission to stay in the UK if they fail to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. For many, the end 2024 deadline will have no impact; most people don’t need to prove their immigration status on a day-to-day basis, and many of the checks performed will be unaffected by the expiry of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). BRP holders will still be able to use the online right to work and rent services to prove their rights once their BRP expires – provided they still have valid status – although we will encourage them to register for a UKVI account to access those services instead. If a customer cannot create an account before their BRP expires at the end of 2024, they will still be able to create a UKVI account quickly and easily after that date, using their expired BRP if needed.</p><p> </p><p>While we are encouraging people who were issued with older forms of evidence of immigration status, such as ink stamps in passports, to transition to eVisas, they will still be able to prove their rights as they do today, using their legacy documents where these are permitted. That will not change at the end of the year.</p><p> </p><p>The No Time Limit (NTL) process is for people with historic (legacy) status who want to upgrade to a modern, digital product and take advantage of its benefits, as well as for those who have lost their BRP or whose BRP has expired. Currently, we give them a BRP at the end of the process, whereas in the future they will be issued an eVisa, which will streamline the process.</p><p>Requests for evidence in such cases are an opportunity for the person to show that their leave has not lapsed and are conducted in line with the existing published guidance. We apply a balance of probabilities approach and exercise discretion where appropriate. We will also continue to support customers, especially those who may be vulnerable, including via our Assisted Digital service which is available in the UK to provide individual support by phone and email to individuals who require assistance with IT-related aspects of transitioning to eVisas.</p><p> </p><p>Further information about eVisas and future updates will be available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/evisa" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/evisa</a>.</p> answering member printed Lord Hanson of Flint grouped question UIN HL137 HL140 question first answered 01/08/2024 13:59:42 answering member 533 label Biography information for Lord Hanson of Flint
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1722212

registered interest
date	18/07/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Digital Technology
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government how many people the Home Office has contacted individually about the need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account; how many people have so far set up a UKVI account since the start of the eVisa transition process; and what proportion of the total eligible for a UKVI account this represents.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL139
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2024 answer text <p>During the testing phase of the eVisa transition, the Home Office, under the previous administration, started emailing BRP holders directly in April 2024 with instructions on how to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. This included sending anonymised invitations based on available contact email addresses.</p><p> </p><p>We are now looking to start using other communication methods, such as text messages. As contact details may get out of date, we plan a wider external communications campaign to reach key stakeholders such as employers, landlords and education establishments. This will include the development of a range of communications materials, routine updates on GOV.UK and extensive engagement with relevant stakeholders, in addition to direct messaging to those affected. The number of people who have created UKVI accounts to access their eVisas is changing rapidly, with a large number of customers already having created their UKVI accounts successfully.</p> answering member printed Lord Hanson of Flint question first answered 01/08/2024 14:00:38 answering member 533 label Biography information for Lord Hanson of Flint
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1722213

registered interest
date	18/07/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Digital Technology
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can provide an update on what provisions will be in place to support people experiencing homelessness in navigating the transition to eVisas, including whether discretion will be given to those who miss application deadlines because of difficulties stemming from the digital transition.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL140
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2024 answer text <p>As part of our move to a ‘digital by default’ border and immigration system, physical immigration documents are being replaced by fully digital eVisas (an online record of the person’s immigration status).</p><p> </p><p>We understand some customers may feel apprehensive about transitioning to and navigating a digital system. We have already put a range of measures in place to support vulnerable and digitally excluded customers, including Assisted Digital support for account creation; ‘helper’ and ‘proxy’ roles who can assist with specific tasks or manage an account for the customer; and a dedicated contact centre that can help customers to access or recover their account, update their personal details or share immigration status information on their behalf if they are unable to do so.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, we have a dedicated programme of grant funding, which will enable organisations to support vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness, to create UKVI accounts and accessing their eVisas. We expect these grant funded organisations to be operational by Autumn. Further details about the organisations will be published on gov.uk in due course.</p><p> </p><p>We are working collaboratively with a range of third-party stakeholders who offer support to people requiring assistance in creating a UKVI account and accessing their eVisa. Information on accessing this support is<a href="https://www.gov.uk/assisted-digital-help-online-applications" target="_blank"> available on gov.uk</a>.</p><p> </p><p>We will not curtail a person’s permission to stay in the UK if they fail to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. For many, the end 2024 deadline will have no impact; most people don’t need to prove their immigration status on a day-to-day basis, and many of the checks performed will be unaffected by the expiry of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). BRP holders will still be able to use the online right to work and rent services to prove their rights once their BRP expires – provided they still have valid status – although we will encourage them to register for a UKVI account to access those services instead. If a customer cannot create an account before their BRP expires at the end of 2024, they will still be able to create a UKVI account quickly and easily after that date, using their expired BRP if needed.</p><p> </p><p>While we are encouraging people who were issued with older forms of evidence of immigration status, such as ink stamps in passports, to transition to eVisas, they will still be able to prove their rights as they do today, using their legacy documents where these are permitted. That will not change at the end of the year.</p><p> </p><p>The No Time Limit (NTL) process is for people with historic (legacy) status who want to upgrade to a modern, digital product and take advantage of its benefits, as well as for those who have lost their BRP or whose BRP has expired. Currently, we give them a BRP at the end of the process, whereas in the future they will be issued an eVisa, which will streamline the process.</p><p>Requests for evidence in such cases are an opportunity for the person to show that their leave has not lapsed and are conducted in line with the existing published guidance. We apply a balance of probabilities approach and exercise discretion where appropriate. We will also continue to support customers, especially those who may be vulnerable, including via our Assisted Digital service which is available in the UK to provide individual support by phone and email to individuals who require assistance with IT-related aspects of transitioning to eVisas.</p><p> </p><p>Further information about eVisas and future updates will be available at <a href="http://www.gov.uk/evisa" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/evisa</a>.</p> answering member printed Lord Hanson of Flint grouped question UIN HL137 HL138 question first answered 01/08/2024 13:59:42 answering member 533 label Biography information for Lord Hanson of Flint
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1722214

registered interest
date	18/07/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration: Poverty
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the joint report by the APPGs on Poverty and on Migration, The Effects of the UK Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Policy on Poverty, published on 30 April.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL141
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/08/2024 answer text <p>The Government is determined to restore order to the immigration system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly.</p><p> </p><p>We remain committed to engaging with local authorities and key stakeholders as we continue to identify a range of options to help those integrating into our communities.</p><p> </p><p>The new Home Secretary will decide on the future of current Home Office policies and announcements will be made to Parliament in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Hanson of Flint question first answered 01/08/2024 14:03:07 answering member 533 label Biography information for Lord Hanson of Flint
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1719173

registered interest
date	20/05/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration Controls: Families
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Sharpe of Epsom on 14 May (HL Deb cols 565–70), whether they will now answer the question as to whether the family test was applied to the changes in the Immigration Rules.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL4780
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2024 answer text <p>During the Motion of Regret Speech on 14 May 2024, in answer to Baroness Lister’s question, I set out the evidence and advice that was taken in to account before making the decision to increase the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR).</p><p>We did not seek further advice from the Migration Advisory Committee, but we did consider its previous advice and evidence regarding net fiscal contributions and access to benefits.</p><p>We also took into account reports about the impact of the MIR on families by the Migration Observatory, the Journal of Economics, Race and Policy and the Justice and Home Affairs Committee.</p><p>For the avoidance of doubt, this means the Family Test was not applied when making the decision to increase the MIR. There is no legal obligation for the test to be applied.</p><p>A full regulatory assessment and equalities impact assessment on the changes to the Immigration Rules laid on 14 March will be published in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom question first answered 24/05/2024 11:52:47 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1695965

registered interest
date	13/03/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Palestinians
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of calls for a Palestinian visa or Gaza family scheme to enable Palestinians in Gaza to be reunited with relatives in the UK and access temporary sanctuary.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL3250
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government is monitoring the situation in Israel and Gaza closely to ensure that it is able to respond appropriately. UKVI is working closely with the FCDO in supporting family members of British nationals evacuated from Gaza who require a visa, signposting the necessary steps and expediting appointments at the Visa Application Centre.</p><p> </p><p>British citizens and those with settled status in the UK, together with their foreign national dependants, (spouse, unmarried/civil partner, child under 18), may come to the UK provided that they have valid travel documents and existing permission to enter or remain in the UK; or are non-visa nationals. They must also pass appropriate security checks.</p><p> </p><p>The Government allows individuals with protection status in the UK to sponsor their partner or children to stay with or join them here through our refugee family reunion policy, provided they formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country of origin to seek protection.</p><p> </p><p>There are additional safe and legal routes for people to come to the UK should they wish to join family members here, work or study. They would need to meet the requirements of the relevant Immigration Rule under which they were applying to qualify for a visa.</p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom question first answered 27/03/2024 16:13:48 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett

1692604

registered interest
date	28/02/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: MOD Wethersfield
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sharpe of Epsom on 14 February (HL2168), whether they will now answer the question put; namely, what assessment they have made of the findings of the report Ghettoised and traumatised: the experiences of men held in quasi-detention in Wethersfield, published by the Helen Bamber Foundation and Humans for Rights Network on 15 December 2023, and their implications for housing asylum seekers at MDP Wethersfield.
tabling member printed	Baroness Lister of Burtersett
uin	HL2845
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/03/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office dispute the findings of the report. Many of the points raised in the report are factually incorrect and the report has not been written following an ‘inspection’ or visit of the site to gain first-hand experience/evidence/knowledge.</p><p>The site at Wethersfield provides safe and secure non detained accommodation for asylum seekers who are free to come and go.</p><p>The welfare of asylum seekers is our utmost priority. The Home Office ensures that accommodation provided is adequate and meets the regulatory standards. The Home Office assesses an individual’s suitability to reside at the sites and only accommodates single adult males who are considered suitable to reside there. Guidance on the suitability criteria used can be found here: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fasylum-accommodation-requests-policy&amp;data=05%7C02%7CASRA-briefingcorrespondence%40homeoffice.gov.uk%7Ccb7196fe18bd4236f7d708dc4286954c%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C638458392995949127%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=GiwRLl1K%2BYsKmQ0EmCdHmkFyCZjNJg7r2X%2FY0QHs%2BHQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Allocation of accommodation</a>.</p><p>An allocation policy and suitability criteria will ensure that no one is housed in accommodation that does not suit them or their needs. If, during their stay, it emerges that an asylum seeker is no longer suitable for the site, they will be moved to different accommodation. The service provider who is running the site on behalf of the Home Office is responsible for the safeguarding of migrants. Our service providers are experienced in managing asylum seeker accommodation in an orderly and secure manner.</p><p>The Home Office operates a Safeguarding Hub to support vulnerable individuals. Both the Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS, and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions.</p><p>As well as making safeguarding referrals to the appropriate statutory agencies, other actions include attendance at adult protection meetings with the police, and the Home Office liaise with external and internal partners to share information. The statutory agencies retain responsibility for all decisions on intervention activity.</p><p>All asylum seekers in the UK may contact Migrant Help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if they need help, advice, or guidance; that includes raising issues relating to safeguarding.</p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom question first answered 13/03/2024 17:59:04 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
tabling member	4234 label Biography information for Baroness Lister of Burtersett