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1186952

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Information
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 is taking to improve the accuracy of (a) information gathered during interviews with asylum applicants and (b) asylum decisions.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33517
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>Asylum operations is working to improve the quality and accuracy of decision-making to ensure that we get decisions right first time. This includes assuring that we properly consider all evidence provided by applicants in order to reduce the proportion of allowed appeals, analysing the reasons for allowed appeals and using this to inform and further improve guidance and training for decision making staff.</p><p>All decision makers 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>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>It is Home Office policy to digitally record asylum interviews unless the exemptions policy applies, a copy of the interview record is given to the applicant and legal representative if present.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 31/03/2020 14:17:07 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186953

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Information
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 is taking to improve information provided to people seeking asylum.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33518
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office issues an information leaflet to asylum claimants at the point of claim which outlines the asylum process and the claimant’s responsibilities within that process. This information leaflet is periodically reviewed.</p><p>Independent guidance and advice are also available to asylum claimants provided by Migrant Help. Migrant Help are present in initial accommodation where destitute asylum seekers are initially housed and their services can also be accessed via their website or by phone. Their website is available in multiple languages, and the helpline is free and accessible in multiple languages.</p><p>UKVI work closely with our key partners and stakeholders to seek and share feedback to identify ways in which we can improve the quality of experience of people seeking asylum in the UK. We have recently set up a Customer Experience Management Team, based across the UK, who will work closely on a local level with stakeholders, to identify key areas to improve the overall experience for people seeking asylum in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp grouped question UIN 33522 question first answered 31/03/2020 14:19:17 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186954

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Legal Aid Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to review the eligibility for legal aid.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33519
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government announced a review of the legal aid means test on 7 February 2019, as part of the Legal Support Action Plan.</p><p> </p><p>The review is in progress, bringing together data, evidence and expertise, and liaising with experts from across the field to explore potential improvements to the system.</p><p> </p><p>The review is considering the full range of means-testing criteria, including the applicable thresholds for legal aid entitlement and their interaction with wider criteria.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 31/03/2020 12:37:40 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186955

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Immigration
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 is taking to reduce decision-making timeframes for (a) visa and (b) asylum applicants; and if she will make it her policy to grant Discretionary Leave to Remain to any applicant waiting more than a year for a decision on their application.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33520
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office is committed to ensuring that all applications are considered without unnecessary delay.</p><p>Information on our immigration routes with service standards and whether they have been processed against these standards is available as part of our transparency data, at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data#uk-visas-and-immigration" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data#uk-visas-and-immigration</a></p><p>If an application is deemed complex and expected to take longer than the standard processing timescale, UKVI will write to the customer within the standard processing time and explain what will happen next.</p><p>The published information on processing times for complex/ non straightforward visa applications is published as part of the Migration Transparency data, available at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data</a></p><p>All asylum claims are carefully considered on their individual merits on the evidence available to the decision maker. We are committed to ensuring that asylum claims are considered without unnecessary delay, so that those who need protection are granted as soon as possible.</p><p>Discretionary Leave (DL) is granted outside the Immigration Rules in accordance with published Home Office policy. DL covers those few individuals who do not qualify for any leave under the Rules, but where there are exceptional or compassionate reasons for allowing them to remain in the UK; as such, it is intended to be used sparingly and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Delays in decision making occur for a number of reasons, some of which are outside of the Home Office’s control, and it would generally not be appropriate to grant DL under these circumstances.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 30/06/2020 13:02:56 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186956

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Asylum: Employment
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 make it her policy to grant asylum applicants (a) the right to work after six months waiting for a decision on their application and (b) access to English language classes from application.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33521
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>Asylum seekers can work in the UK if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months, through no fault of their own. Those allowed to work are restricted to jobs on the Shortage Occupation List, which is published by the Home Office and based on expert advice from the Migration Advisory Committee.</p><p>It is important to distinguish between those who need protection and economic migrants, who can apply for a work visa under the Immigration Rules. Our wider immigration policy would be undermined if migrants could bypass work visa routes by lodging unfounded asylum claims.</p><p>Asylum seeker right to work is a complex issue and is under review. It is crucial we take the time to get this right. We are listening carefully to the arguments and considering the evidence put forward on the issue. Work on the review is ongoing.</p><p>After six months we provide a 50% contribution to the costs of English language classes for asylum seekers in certain circumstances. Those granted refugee status are entitled to access fully funded English language tuition if they are unemployed and in receipt of certain benefits.</p><p> </p><p>Currently around half of those who seek asylum in the UK are found not to need international protection. Therefore, rather than invest in integration for those who may not qualify for international protection, this Government’s priority is to focus our efforts and resources to support those who most need it.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 31/03/2020 14:18:08 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186957

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
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, what steps the Government is taking to monitor the quality of experience of people seeking asylum in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33522
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/03/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office issues an information leaflet to asylum claimants at the point of claim which outlines the asylum process and the claimant’s responsibilities within that process. This information leaflet is periodically reviewed.</p><p>Independent guidance and advice are also available to asylum claimants provided by Migrant Help. Migrant Help are present in initial accommodation where destitute asylum seekers are initially housed and their services can also be accessed via their website or by phone. Their website is available in multiple languages, and the helpline is free and accessible in multiple languages.</p><p>UKVI work closely with our key partners and stakeholders to seek and share feedback to identify ways in which we can improve the quality of experience of people seeking asylum in the UK. We have recently set up a Customer Experience Management Team, based across the UK, who will work closely on a local level with stakeholders, to identify key areas to improve the overall experience for people seeking asylum in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp grouped question UIN 33518 question first answered 31/03/2020 14:19:17 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186958

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Insulation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans the Government has to test the performance of homes and tackle inadequate cavity wall insulation.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33523
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2020 answer text <p>We have committed to introduce a Future Homes Standard from 2025 which means that new homes will be fit for the future, with low carbon heating and lower energy use through high levels of energy efficiency. In October 2019 we published a consultation on the Future Homes Standard and the 2020 version of Part L of the Building Regulations. The Future Homes Standard consultation closed on 7 February 2020. The responses we have received will be considered carefully and a Government response will be published in due course.</p><p>Within the consultation we also made several proposals to improve the as-built performance of new homes, ensuring that they perform more closely to the predicted energy efficiency requirements. These proposals included improving the accuracy of as-built energy calculations and providing clearer information about the as-built specifications of new buildings to both Building Control Bodies and to building occupiers. <br> <br> A building control body, or the person doing the work if registered with a competent person scheme, verifies that completed building work meets the requirements of the Building Regulations. We do not have any current plans for testing the performance of the cavity wall insulation in new build homes.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher grouped question UIN 33524 33526 33528 question first answered 01/04/2020 08:55:46 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186959

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Construction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that houses are performing to the efficiency standards promised by housebuilders.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33524
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2020 answer text <p>We have committed to introduce a Future Homes Standard from 2025 which means that new homes will be fit for the future, with low carbon heating and lower energy use through high levels of energy efficiency. In October 2019 we published a consultation on the Future Homes Standard and the 2020 version of Part L of the Building Regulations. The Future Homes Standard consultation closed on 7 February 2020. The responses we have received will be considered carefully and a Government response will be published in due course.</p><p>Within the consultation we also made several proposals to improve the as-built performance of new homes, ensuring that they perform more closely to the predicted energy efficiency requirements. These proposals included improving the accuracy of as-built energy calculations and providing clearer information about the as-built specifications of new buildings to both Building Control Bodies and to building occupiers. <br> <br> A building control body, or the person doing the work if registered with a competent person scheme, verifies that completed building work meets the requirements of the Building Regulations. We do not have any current plans for testing the performance of the cavity wall insulation in new build homes.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher grouped question UIN 33523 33526 33528 question first answered 01/04/2020 08:55:46 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186960

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Energy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to improve the energy and carbon performance of new build homes.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33525
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government is fully committed to meeting its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and recognises the important contribution that the energy efficiency of buildings has to make in meeting it.</p><p>We have committed to introduce a Future Homes Standard from 2025 which means that new homes in England will be fit for the future, with low carbon heating and lower energy use through high levels of energy efficiency. In October 2019 we published a consultation on the Future Homes Standard which proposed that new homes built to this standard should have carbon dioxide emissions 75-80 per cent lower than those built to current building regulations standards.</p><p>As a stepping stone to the Future Homes Standard, we have also consulted on a meaningful and achievable increase to the energy efficiency standards for new homes to be introduced through the Building Regulations in 2020, with a further strengthening by 2025.</p><p>The Future Homes Standard consultation closed on 7 February 2020. The responses we have received will be considered carefully and a Government response will be published in due course.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher question first answered 01/04/2020 09:03:48 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1186961

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept id	7
answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
hansard heading	Housing: Construction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to ensure developers build homes to agreed performance standards.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	33526
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2020 answer text <p>We have committed to introduce a Future Homes Standard from 2025 which means that new homes will be fit for the future, with low carbon heating and lower energy use through high levels of energy efficiency. In October 2019 we published a consultation on the Future Homes Standard and the 2020 version of Part L of the Building Regulations. The Future Homes Standard consultation closed on 7 February 2020. The responses we have received will be considered carefully and a Government response will be published in due course.</p><p>Within the consultation we also made several proposals to improve the as-built performance of new homes, ensuring that they perform more closely to the predicted energy efficiency requirements. These proposals included improving the accuracy of as-built energy calculations and providing clearer information about the as-built specifications of new buildings to both Building Control Bodies and to building occupiers. <br> <br> A building control body, or the person doing the work if registered with a competent person scheme, verifies that completed building work meets the requirements of the Building Regulations. We do not have any current plans for testing the performance of the cavity wall insulation in new build homes.</p> answering member constituency Tamworth answering member printed Christopher Pincher grouped question UIN 33523 33524 33528 question first answered 01/04/2020 08:55:46 answering member 4075 label Biography information for Christopher Pincher
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon