Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to the Written Statement by the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union on 7 March 2019 (HCWS1392), and the Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 813), published on 22 October 2020, what assessment they have made of the impact of the earned settlement proposals on Turkish European Communities Association Agreement (ECAA) legacy holders; and what estimate they have made of the number of ECAA legacy holders affected by the earned settlement proposals.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

As the HCWS 1392 indicated and the explanatory memorandum to HC 813 set out, following the end of the EU exit transition period and the repeal of EU-derived directly effective immigration rights, the UK is no longer obliged to provide preferential treatment to Turkish nationals on the basis of the European Communities Association Agreement (ECAA).

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’ (CP 1448), was consulted on between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.

Implementation of the earned settlement arrangements will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

In the meantime, Appendix ECAA: Extension of Stay and Appendix ECAA Settlement, which set out the rules described in HC 813, will continue to apply.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they will take to expedite the return of Lindsay and Craig Foreman to the United Kingdom.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

I refer the Noble Baroness to the statement issued by the Foreign Secretary on 19 February following the sentencing of Lindsay and Craig Foreman, which - for ease of reference - is reproduced below:

"This sentence is completely appalling and totally unjustifiable. We will pursue this case relentlessly with the Iranian government until we see Craig and Lindsay Foreman safely returned to the UK and reunited with their family. In the meantime, their welfare is our priority and we will continue to provide consular assistance to them and their families."

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people have been detained in preparation for removal to France under the pilot small boat crossings returns scheme since 1 August 2025; and of those cases how many were (1) age disputed, and (2) found to be a child.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Operational details of the scheme are not disclosed outside of what has already been published as this may impact migrant behaviour or be exploited by organised crime gangs.

Removing minors to France is explicitly prohibited under Article 4(2)(d) of the Agreement.

Individuals are not removed to France where their age is in dispute, given the terms of the Treaty sets out that those removed will be individuals who have been determined to be an adult. We have recently seen several cases where migrants in this country are claiming to be children to prevent their removal.

This can happen despite having claimed to be an adult upon arrival in the country.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been an increase in the average waiting times to a decision on indefinite leave to remain and visa extension applications by Turkish European Communities Association Agreement business person holders since September 2025; and if so, what is the reason for that increase.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

There is a 6 month processing time for straightforward applications made by Turkish business persons under the European Communities Association Agreement. There has been no change to this service standard. Individual applications may take longer to decide when additional steps are required, including requests for further information, checks with other government departments and detailed investigations concerning the businesses being relied on in the application.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 17 February  (HL14372), when they plan to publish the independent evaluation of the impact of the 56-day asylum move-on pilot.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The report will be published on GOV.UK as part of the Home Office Research Series. Publication is expected in Spring 2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 17 February  (HL14372), what the move-on process will be for all groups of newly recognised refugees leaving asylum accommodation between the end of the current pilot on 28 February and the introduction of a new process.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Home Office Ministers have decided to set the notice period for all individuals granted leave exiting the asylum accommodation estate at 42 days, from the point they are notified of a positive asylum decision.

This policy will apply to individuals granted leave on or after 9 March 2026. The policy will not apply to individuals who are already within the notice period and those for whom support has already been discontinued.

The 56‑day pilot concluded on 8 March 2026.