Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 16 June (HL7929), whether Home Office statistics on transnational marriage abandonment include data on the number of children affected as co-victims; and if not, whether they will consider collecting such data.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Since 31 January 2024 those who find themselves a victim of domestic abuse in the form of transnational marriage abandonment (TMA) can apply for entry clearance (Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE)) under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse to the Immigration Rules.
Data on the number of applications under the TMA route is published each quarter on gov.uk under the category ‘Settlement VDA LTE’: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682b151450dbd3ce8372abb4/visas-status-and-immigration-data-q1-2025.ods.
The data shows there were 9 cases in 2024 Q1, 17 in Q2, 34 in Q3, 23 in Q4. For 2025, the data shows there were 12 cases in Q1 and 17 cases in Q2.
This data includes partners and any dependent children as all individuals must be granted their own entry clearance to enter the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government why they are reducing the move-on period for newly recognised refugees to 28 days for most childless adults of working age before the pilot of a 56-day move-on period concludes in December; how this will affect the evaluation of that pilot; and whether they still intend to publish the findings of that evaluation.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
On 1 September, the 56 day move on pilot implemented in December 2024 was paused for all single adults in receipt of a positive asylum decision, with the exception of individuals who are pregnant, over the age of 65 or have a known/evidenced disability. This action was taken to ensure that the asylum system continues to run efficiently, and to enable us to continue taking action both to reduce the overall number of asylum hotels in different communities, and the number of people staying in them.
This pause applies to all decisions made from 1 September, anyone in receipt of a positive decision made prior to the 1st September will receive a 56-day move on period as per the pilot.
We closely monitor the impact of all our policies, including the move on period, on the number and occupancy of asylum hotels, the overall costs of the asylum accommodation estate, the wider effect on local communities, and any pressures placed on local authorities and public amenities. We remain committed to working closely with our partners to identify improvements and make efficiencies in supporting newly recognised refugees move on from asylum accommodation.
The independent evaluation of the pilot continues and is due to conclude imminently. Evaluation outcomes will be used to inform longer term policy proposals and will be shared with parliament.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the decision to reduce the move-on period for newly recognised refugees to 28 days for most childless adults of working age on (1) refugee homelessness, (2) local authorities, and (3) civil society organisations helping refugees.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
On 1 September, the 56 day move on pilot implemented in December 2024 was paused for all single adults in receipt of a positive asylum decision, with the exception of individuals who are pregnant, over the age of 65 or have a known/evidenced disability. This action was taken to ensure that the asylum system continues to run efficiently, and to enable us to continue taking action both to reduce the overall number of asylum hotels in different communities, and the number of people staying in them.
This pause applies to all decisions made from 1 September, anyone in receipt of a positive decision made prior to the 1st September will receive a 56-day move on period as per the pilot.
We closely monitor the impact of all our policies, including the move on period, on the number and occupancy of asylum hotels, the overall costs of the asylum accommodation estate, the wider effect on local communities, and any pressures placed on local authorities and public amenities. We remain committed to working closely with our partners to identify improvements and make efficiencies in supporting newly recognised refugees move on from asylum accommodation.
The independent evaluation of the pilot continues and is due to conclude imminently. Evaluation outcomes will be used to inform longer term policy proposals and will be shared with parliament.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the 2024 asylum support rates review; and why that review has not yet been made publicly available.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
As per standard practice, a report on the 2024 review of weekly allowances paid to asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers will be published on gov.uk in due course. In reviewing the rates, the 2024 review utilised the same methodology as the 2023 review.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the outcome of the review of the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention guidance; and whether they intend to strengthen the safeguards for vulnerable people held in immigration detention.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
External engagement on the review recently concluded and policy officials are currently considering the feedback received on the proposed options. Any further announcements will be made in the normal way in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many children were living in families in receipt of asylum support at the end of March; and, of these, how many were in receipt of (1) the self-catered asylum support rates and (2) the catered asylum support rates.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office publishes data on asylum seekers in receipt of support, by accommodation type, on a quarterly basis, but this is not broken down by age category.
The level of the allowance given to individuals supported under section 95 and section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is reviewed each year to ensure it continues to cover essential living needs.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment was made of the impact on children of the decision to freeze the self-catered asylum support rate at £49.18.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office publishes data on asylum seekers in receipt of support, by accommodation type, on a quarterly basis, but this is not broken down by age category.
The level of the allowance given to individuals supported under section 95 and section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is reviewed each year to ensure it continues to cover essential living needs.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact of the proposal in the Immigration White Paper published on 12 May to increase the standard qualifying period for settlement from five to 10 years on (1) the number of children who will be born in the UK without British citizenship, (2) the number of children whose right to be registered as a British citizen will be delayed, and the extent of that delay, and (3) children’s best interests
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We will be consulting on both the earned settlement and citizenship schemes later this year and further details on the proposed schemes will be provided at
that time. This will include ensuring children who have been in the UK for some time and discover they do not have status, are fully supported to regularise their status.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration on the Home Office's use of age assessment will be published.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration on the Home Office's use of age assessment has been submitted to the Home Office, and the Department is reviewing and preparing a response.
The report will be available on gov.uk the same day along with the formal Government response.
Asked by: Baroness Lister of Burtersett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following their proposal in the Immigration White Paper published on 12 May to extend the standard qualifying period for settlement from five to 10 years, what consideration they have given to increasing awareness of children’s rights to British citizenship and the capacity of parents and carers to exercise these rights.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
We will be consulting on both the earned settlement and citizenship schemes later this year and further details on the proposed schemes will be provided at that time.
This will include ensuring children who have been in the UK for some time and discover they do not have status, are fully supported to regularise their status.