Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1698595

registered interest
date	25/03/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many employers held visa sponsorship licences in (a) 2020, (b) 2021, (c) 2022 and (d) 2023.
tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
uin	20345
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office publishes the latest register of worker and temporary worker licensed sponsors at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers" target="_blank">Register of licensed sponsors: workers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a> This is a live document that is continually updated.</p><p>Data that has been updated quarterly since 2014 and includes the number of valid sponsor licences, can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsorship-transparency-data-q4-2023" target="_blank">Sponsorship transparency data: Q4 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>.</p><p>The number of organisations annually on the register of sponsors can also be found under Sponsorship Summary Tables at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-data-tables#sponsorship" target="_blank">Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 18/04/2024 10:08:36 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1521184

registered interest
date	12/10/2022
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will introduce a sponsor guarantor scheme for visa applicants.
tabling member constituency	Battersea
tabling member printed	Marsha De Cordova
uin	62079
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2022 answer text <p>There are already a number of visa routes, including work, study and family routes, where formal sponsorship is required with penalties in place if a sponsor is not meeting their obligations.</p><p> </p><p>In other routes, we require evidence that a visa applicant can maintain and accommodate themselves during their stay in the United Kingdom and that they will leave the United Kingdom at the end of their stay. <br> <br> We believe it is right that the responsibility to demonstrate they will maintain and accommodate themselves and leave the United Kingdom lies with the applicant.</p><p> </p><p>We will refuse applications where this is not the case and individuals who become overstayers in the United Kingdom may be subject to a re-entry ban.</p><p>Our website (<a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7CKelly.Humphries%40homeoffice.gov.uk%7Cfa417793c4ec45efd43208daab68695d%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C638010762172953426%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=33rAV1dC9k7QOtO6v8r4PNZScgrX7u9qONpi9n8dLr8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.gov.uk</a>) provides information about the obligations we expect from sponsors and visa applicants and re-entry bans.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove question first answered 20/10/2022 16:16:47 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
tabling member	4676 label Biography information for Marsha De Cordova

1224944

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of sponsor licence applications that will be required ahead of the implementation of the proposed new points-based immigration system; and what steps her Department is taking to anticipate any surge in licence applications.
tabling member constituency	Bermondsey and Old Southwark
tabling member printed	Neil Coyle
uin	74620
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2020 answer text <p>Planning for the implementation of the new UK points-based system includes ensuring that all aspects of operational readiness have been considered and this includes resourcing, recruitment and the delivery of training.</p><p>In UK Visas and Immigration, who will be delivering the new system operationally, there is a natural cycle of recruitment of caseworkers every year and this year the requirements of the new system have been factored in, including the forecast increase in sponsor licence applications.</p><p>Work is underway on this and there is specific strand project planning for the overall programme in place. Progress is reported weekly and monitored by the FBIS programme board which oversees the delivery of the new system.</p><p>The Impact Assessment for the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill included an assessment of the potential number of skilled workers that may be eligible under the new points-based immigration system, and therefore would require sponsorship. This can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-bill-2020-overarching-documents</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 74622 74625 question first answered 24/07/2020 08:56:35 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4368 label Biography information for Neil Coyle

1224945

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to encourage employers to apply for sponsor licences before the end of free movement and the implementation of the proposed new points-based immigration system in 2021.
tabling member constituency	Bermondsey and Old Southwark
tabling member printed	Neil Coyle
uin	74621
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2020 answer text <p>It is vital that employers are prepared for implementation of the new points-based immigration system. That is why we are providing certainty and support on the system now.</p><p>The Home Office has already launched a comprehensive programme of communications and engagement to help employers understand the system and how to prepare.</p><p>Throughout 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and since the Policy Statement was published in February 2020, we have facilitated hundreds of engagement events, reaching thousands of stakeholders and continue to hold regular events across the UK and a wide range of sectors.</p><p>We have published an introduction to the points-based immigration system for employers and launched a direct email campaign to enable businesses to sign-up to receive updates on the system’s implementation. Furthermore, we have and continue to work other departments across government, who are supporting the Home Office in promoting our messages to employers.</p><p>A nationwide marketing campaign will roll out later this year, using a wide range of channels to reach our audiences, such as radio, video-on-demand and outdoor advertising</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 24/07/2020 08:15:18 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4368 label Biography information for Neil Coyle

1224947

registered interest
date	15/07/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to (a) issue guidance and (b) change operating procedures to manage any increase in the number of sponsor licence applications before the implementation of the proposed new points-based immigration system in 2021.
tabling member constituency	Bermondsey and Old Southwark
tabling member printed	Neil Coyle
uin	74622
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2020 answer text <p>Planning for the implementation of the new UK points-based system includes ensuring that all aspects of operational readiness have been considered and this includes resourcing, recruitment and the delivery of training.</p><p>In UK Visas and Immigration, who will be delivering the new system operationally, there is a natural cycle of recruitment of caseworkers every year and this year the requirements of the new system have been factored in, including the forecast increase in sponsor licence applications.</p><p>Work is underway on this and there is specific strand project planning for the overall programme in place. Progress is reported weekly and monitored by the FBIS programme board which oversees the delivery of the new system.</p><p>The Impact Assessment for the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill included an assessment of the potential number of skilled workers that may be eligible under the new points-based immigration system, and therefore would require sponsorship. This can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-bill-2020-overarching-documents</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 74620 74625 question first answered 24/07/2020 08:56:35 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4368 label Biography information for Neil Coyle

1218886

registered interest
date	29/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review the proposal to abolish the Resident Labour Market Test in response to the covid-19 outbreak and resulting increase in unemployment.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	65922
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2020 answer text <p>We set out our proposals for the UK’s Points-Based Immigration System in a Policy Statement published on 19 February: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-points-based-immigration-system-policy-statement.</p><p>On the recommendation of the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) we will abolish the Resident Labour Market Test. In its September 2018 report on the impact of EEA migration in the UK, the MAC advised a robust approach to salary thresholds and the Immigration Skills Charge are better ways to protect UK workers against the dangers of employers using migrant workers to under-cut resident workers.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 07/07/2020 16:04:55 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1183648

registered interest
date	09/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it will be possible to sponsor a migrant if they are paid less than £20,480 (a) under the New Entrant rate, (b) in a Shortage Occupation role or (c) in any other circumstances.
tabling member constituency	Stretford and Urmston
tabling member printed	Kate Green
uin	26906
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government published “The UK’s Points-Based System: Policy Statement” on 19 February.</p><p>Following advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the Government will reduce the general salary threshold for skilled workers from £30,000 to £25,600. There will be a reduced rate for new entrants as well as for those with relevant PhDs and those coming to undertake occupations that are in shortage.</p><p>In line with MAC advice, the precise thresholds for any occupation will generally be based on data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Employment which will be updated between now and the points-based system coming into operation in January 2021.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 16/03/2020 17:03:32 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4120 label Biography information for Kate Green

1125361

registered interest
date	09/05/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the number of companies in the (a) digital, (b) arts and (c) sports sectors registered to sponsor immigration visas of any tier with a view to ensuring preparedness in the sector for the new immigration system after the UK leaves the EU.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
uin	252053
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2019 answer text <p>In December 2018, the Government set out its proposals in “The UK’s future Skills-based Immigration System” White Paper, which is due to come into force from January 2021.</p><p>We are determined to ensure that the future immigration system is efficient and able to respond to users’ needs, and as proposed in the White Paper, we will reform existing sponsorship arrangements – streamlining, simplifying and minimising bureaucracy.</p><p>The Government values the positive contribution made to the UK by the digital, arts and sporting sectors and we want this to continue. We will ensure that the new system continues to support the UK’s thriving cultural and sporting life and will also explore options to support start-up companies in our new, expanding digital technology sector.</p><p>The White Paper is the start of a conversation and we hav launched a year-long engagement programme to take the views of a range of stakeholders across the UK, including the digital, arts and sporting sectors.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 13/05/2019 15:46:29 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens

1082684

registered interest
date	06/03/2019
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 2 (General) Certificate of Sponsorship have been submitted in each month since November 2018; how many of those applications were granted; and how many of those applications were refused as a result of the annual cap having been reached.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	229193
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2019 answer text <p>No applications for Restricted Certificates of Sponsorship have been refused in the period in question due to the cap being reached under Tier 2 General. The information requested is set out below. <br>Restricted Certificates of Sponsorship (RCoS)</p><p><br>Month Submitted Granted Refused as a result of the Cap being reached<br>Nov-18 2206 1919 0<br>Dec-18 2422 2018 0<br>Jan-19 1838 1597 0<br>Feb-19 2093 1691 0</p><p> </p><p><br>Applications can be refused as they don’t meet the criteria set out under Tier General. In addition, applications are rejected for being incomplete, withdrawn by the sponsor or kept under review to be decided at a subsequent monthly allocation panel. This accounts for the difference between the number of applications submitted in a month and the number of grants in the same month.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 11/03/2019 16:24:08 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

926681

registered interest
date	18/06/2018
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Sponsorship
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 evidence from visa sponsors is not requested at the start of the application process.
tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
uin	154757
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/06/2018 answer text <p>The step by step process for applying for a Standard Visitor Visa is set out on Gov.UK here <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-standard-visitor-visa" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/apply-standard-visitor-visa</a></p><p>Step 2 “Prepare the evidence you need” provides guidance and links to guidance on the supporting documents that can be provided.</p> answering member constituency Romsey and Southampton North answering member printed Caroline Nokes question first answered 26/06/2018 11:24:15 answering member 4048 label Biography information for Caroline Nokes
tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft