Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average processing time was for Student visa applications made outside the UK in each of the last 12 months; how many applications remain outstanding beyond the published service standard; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce the time taken for the processing of Student visas.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

UKVI continued to meet published service standards for straightforward Student visa applications during the 2026 summer peak, despite sustained high demand.

Some applications require additional checks and may take longer where this is necessary to verify the information provided, assess individual circumstances or protect the integrity of the UK immigration system. Applicants will be notified if their application cannot be concluded within the published service standard.

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Sponsors can use established escalation routes where applications have exceeded published service standards and enrolment deadlines are at risk. Information on visa processing times and service standards is available at Visa processing times - GOV.UK.

UKVI continues to work with the UK and International Education sectors to encourage applicants to apply in good time and submit the correct documentation. UKVI also keeps its guidance and training materials under review to ensure they remain clear and accurate.

The Home Office publishes statistics on student visa applications in its quarterly Immigration System Statistics. The latest figures are available at Why do people come to the UK? Study - GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the reasons are for the time taken to process Student visa applications ahead of the 2026-27 academic year; and what steps she is taking to ensure applicants receive decisions before the start of their courses.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

UKVI continued to meet published service standards for straightforward Student visa applications during the 2026 summer peak, despite sustained high demand.

Some applications require additional checks and may take longer where this is necessary to verify the information provided, assess individual circumstances or protect the integrity of the UK immigration system. Applicants will be notified if their application cannot be concluded within the published service standard.

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Sponsors can use established escalation routes where applications have exceeded published service standards and enrolment deadlines are at risk. Information on visa processing times and service standards is available at Visa processing times - GOV.UK.

UKVI continues to work with the UK and International Education sectors to encourage applicants to apply in good time and submit the correct documentation. UKVI also keeps its guidance and training materials under review to ensure they remain clear and accurate.

The Home Office publishes statistics on student visa applications in its quarterly Immigration System Statistics. The latest figures are available at Why do people come to the UK? Study - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how many cargoes from the (a) Yamal LNG and (b) Sakhalin-2 terminals were (i) transported, (ii) insured and (iii) financed by UK persons between 20 January and 19 May 2026.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade does not hold data on how many cargoes from the Yamal LNG and Sakhalin-2 terminals were transported, insured and financed by UK persons between 20 January and 19 May 2026. Further information on the nature of the UK's involvement in transportation, insurance and financing from the Yamal LNG and Sakhalin-2 terminals can be found in the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 Impact Assessment, published in May 2026.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the prevalence of fly-tipping in urban residential areas; and what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities in tackling persistent fly-tipping hotspots.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government recognises the impact fly-tipping has on urban residential areas. We have published guidance to support local councils to seize vehicles and raised the upper limit for fixed penalties for fly-tipping from £1000 to £5000. We have recently secured powers to issue statutory enforcement guidance to local councils.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure landlords make appropriate arrangements for waste disposal and property clearances.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Everyone has a duty of care to ensure their waste is managed correctly and not fly-tipped. The Defra chaired National Fly-tipping Prevention Group has supported local authorities to raise awareness of the duty of care among householders and businesses, including landlords. This includes tips for choosing or creating an effective campaign.

National Emergency Briefing

Found: Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, and the Artificial Superintelligence Security Bill, which Alex Sobel