Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to set out a timeline for the review of the Breathing Space scheme required by May 2026, and (2) to consult with debt advice providers such as Citizens Advice as part of that review.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Breathing Space scheme allows those in problem debt the space to engage with professional debt advice by providing a temporary relief from creditor enforcement action. Given the link between mental health and problem debt, the scheme also offers a separate entry route for eligible individuals receiving treatment for a mental health crisis.

As is standard for schemes of this nature, HM Treasury will carry out a five-year post implementation review of the scheme to consider its objectives and impact. More widely, the Government monitors the scheme’s operation to ensure it remains an effective tool for individuals and has regular engagement with debt advice providers as part of this.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on nursing staff working in the adult social care sector of proposals to change the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain.

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

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. It is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026.

As part of this consultation, we are seeking views on the potential impact of the proposed changes on different groups, including those working in sectors such as social care. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation.

The final proposals will also be subject to full economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people have been returned to France under the 'one in, one out' scheme; of these, how many were age-disputed persons; and how many of those selected for the scheme were age-disputed persons and have not been returned as a result of their age dispute.

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

As of 3rd February, 305 people have been returned to France.

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 their having claimed to be an adult upon arrival in the country.

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.