Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press release entitled 'Thousands of children with SEND to benefit from assistive tech', published 27 June 2025, if she will confirm the change in EHCPs for children under the age of 8 in the same period as the data referred to in the press release.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The June 2025 press release announced the department’s investment of over £1.6 million in an assistive technology lending library pilot through the ‘SEND and alternative provision change programme’. The press release referenced that the number of children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) had increased by 11% to 638,700, referring to the data from the 2024 to 2025 academic year.
For the same period, the number of EHCPs specifically for children under the age of 8 at the start of the academic year increased by 14%, rising to 124,148.
The government is committed to ensuring that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities receive appropriate support at the earliest opportunity, and that local authorities and education settings have the expertise and resources needed to meet their needs effectively. As part of this work, the pilot enabled up to 3,800 mainstream settings across 30 local authorities to borrow and trial assistive technology before making purchasing decisions.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of family migration on levels of net migration beyond the original principal applicant.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Government's Immigration White Paper, published last year, highlighted the growth in work visas in recent years, particularly in medium-skilled roles, and the associated growth in dependent visas. That is why the Government acted to restrict workers sponsored in medium-skilled roles from bringing dependants and introduced new language requirements for dependants.
Those work and study visa holders who are able to bring dependants can only sponsor their partners/spouses and dependent children under age 18, not wider family members.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department takes when a Student Visa holder ceases to attend the course for which leave was granted.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
All applicants seeking permission under the Student route must meet the English language requirements set out in the Immigration Rules. Applicants studying at degree level or above must demonstrate English language ability at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, while those studying below degree level must demonstrate ability at level B1. Higher education providers with a track record of compliance may assess the English language ability of applicants studying at degree level or above using a method they consider appropriate. The provider must record the method of assessment on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and retain evidence of that assessment. UK Visas and Immigration may assess a sponsor’s arrangements for determining English language ability as part of its compliance activity, including during a compliance visit. Sponsors that are not permitted to assess English language ability must ensure that applicants provide evidence through one of the methods specified in the Immigration Rules, such as an approved Secure English Language Test. Individuals remain subject to review during the visa process and at the border, and may be refused entry where they do not meet the relevant requirements.
All applicants seeking permission under the Student route are required to satisfy the genuine student requirement set out in the Immigration Rules. UK Visas and Immigration considers each application on its individual merits and assesses all the information and evidence available. This may include the applicant’s immigration and education history, the relevance of the proposed course to their previous study and future plans, their knowledge of the course and sponsoring institution, their reasons for choosing to study in the UK, and their financial circumstances. Where further information is required, the applicant may be invited to attend a credibility interview. An application may be refused where the decision maker is not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the applicant is a genuine student.
Student sponsors must maintain oversight of sponsored students throughout their studies and notify UK Visas and Immigration of reportable events relating to their students. These include non-enrolment, a failure to attend or engage, withdrawal from a course, and earlier-than-expected completion. Sponsors are assessed in the annual Basic Compliance Assessment on the rates of non-enrolment and course completion. If sponsorship is withdrawn or an individual no longer satisfies the Student route requirements, their permission may be cancelled in accordance with the Immigration Rules.
The Home Office can conduct both virtual audits and in-person visits (either announced or unannounced) of sponsors at any time to assess their compliance with their sponsorship duties. Sponsors are assessed annually against the Basic Compliance Assessment requirements of refusal rate, enrolment rate, and course completion rate. Sponsors must also request their allocation of sponsorship certificates annually, and the Home Office will take account of factors including the number of students currently studying at the institution, its student-to-teacher ratio, the number of full-time teaching staff and the capacity of its premises. These arrangements support oversight of the number of sponsored students and whether a sponsor can continue to meet its sponsorship duties
Education providers must hold a valid Student sponsor licence and meet the relevant educational oversight and immigration compliance requirements to sponsor international students. Student sponsors must also apply for a Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) each year to demonstrate that they continue to meet the required compliance standards. UK Visas and Immigration monitors sponsors through risk-based compliance activity and may take appropriate action where the required standards are not met or wider concerns are identified. Student route applications are considered on their individual merits against the Immigration Rules, including the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of English.
Student sponsors are required to monitor the academic engagement of sponsored students and report specified changes in their circumstances to UK Visas and Immigration, including where a student fails to enrol, ceases to study or sponsorship is withdrawn. Where an individual no longer meets the requirements of the Student route, the Home Office may cancel their permission in accordance with the Immigration Rules. Individuals must leave the UK before their permission expires, unless they have made a valid application for further permission to stay. Those who remain in the UK without permission are liable to enforcement action.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment is made before granting a Student Visa of whether the applicant is a genuine student whose primary purpose is study.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
All applicants seeking permission under the Student route must meet the English language requirements set out in the Immigration Rules. Applicants studying at degree level or above must demonstrate English language ability at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, while those studying below degree level must demonstrate ability at level B1. Higher education providers with a track record of compliance may assess the English language ability of applicants studying at degree level or above using a method they consider appropriate. The provider must record the method of assessment on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and retain evidence of that assessment. UK Visas and Immigration may assess a sponsor’s arrangements for determining English language ability as part of its compliance activity, including during a compliance visit. Sponsors that are not permitted to assess English language ability must ensure that applicants provide evidence through one of the methods specified in the Immigration Rules, such as an approved Secure English Language Test. Individuals remain subject to review during the visa process and at the border, and may be refused entry where they do not meet the relevant requirements.
All applicants seeking permission under the Student route are required to satisfy the genuine student requirement set out in the Immigration Rules. UK Visas and Immigration considers each application on its individual merits and assesses all the information and evidence available. This may include the applicant’s immigration and education history, the relevance of the proposed course to their previous study and future plans, their knowledge of the course and sponsoring institution, their reasons for choosing to study in the UK, and their financial circumstances. Where further information is required, the applicant may be invited to attend a credibility interview. An application may be refused where the decision maker is not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the applicant is a genuine student.
Student sponsors must maintain oversight of sponsored students throughout their studies and notify UK Visas and Immigration of reportable events relating to their students. These include non-enrolment, a failure to attend or engage, withdrawal from a course, and earlier-than-expected completion. Sponsors are assessed in the annual Basic Compliance Assessment on the rates of non-enrolment and course completion. If sponsorship is withdrawn or an individual no longer satisfies the Student route requirements, their permission may be cancelled in accordance with the Immigration Rules.
The Home Office can conduct both virtual audits and in-person visits (either announced or unannounced) of sponsors at any time to assess their compliance with their sponsorship duties. Sponsors are assessed annually against the Basic Compliance Assessment requirements of refusal rate, enrolment rate, and course completion rate. Sponsors must also request their allocation of sponsorship certificates annually, and the Home Office will take account of factors including the number of students currently studying at the institution, its student-to-teacher ratio, the number of full-time teaching staff and the capacity of its premises. These arrangements support oversight of the number of sponsored students and whether a sponsor can continue to meet its sponsorship duties
Education providers must hold a valid Student sponsor licence and meet the relevant educational oversight and immigration compliance requirements to sponsor international students. Student sponsors must also apply for a Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) each year to demonstrate that they continue to meet the required compliance standards. UK Visas and Immigration monitors sponsors through risk-based compliance activity and may take appropriate action where the required standards are not met or wider concerns are identified. Student route applications are considered on their individual merits against the Immigration Rules, including the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of English.
Student sponsors are required to monitor the academic engagement of sponsored students and report specified changes in their circumstances to UK Visas and Immigration, including where a student fails to enrol, ceases to study or sponsorship is withdrawn. Where an individual no longer meets the requirements of the Student route, the Home Office may cancel their permission in accordance with the Immigration Rules. Individuals must leave the UK before their permission expires, unless they have made a valid application for further permission to stay. Those who remain in the UK without permission are liable to enforcement action.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what compliance activity is undertaken in relation to Student Visa holders after their arrival in the UK.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
All applicants seeking permission under the Student route must meet the English language requirements set out in the Immigration Rules. Applicants studying at degree level or above must demonstrate English language ability at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, while those studying below degree level must demonstrate ability at level B1. Higher education providers with a track record of compliance may assess the English language ability of applicants studying at degree level or above using a method they consider appropriate. The provider must record the method of assessment on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and retain evidence of that assessment. UK Visas and Immigration may assess a sponsor’s arrangements for determining English language ability as part of its compliance activity, including during a compliance visit. Sponsors that are not permitted to assess English language ability must ensure that applicants provide evidence through one of the methods specified in the Immigration Rules, such as an approved Secure English Language Test. Individuals remain subject to review during the visa process and at the border, and may be refused entry where they do not meet the relevant requirements.
All applicants seeking permission under the Student route are required to satisfy the genuine student requirement set out in the Immigration Rules. UK Visas and Immigration considers each application on its individual merits and assesses all the information and evidence available. This may include the applicant’s immigration and education history, the relevance of the proposed course to their previous study and future plans, their knowledge of the course and sponsoring institution, their reasons for choosing to study in the UK, and their financial circumstances. Where further information is required, the applicant may be invited to attend a credibility interview. An application may be refused where the decision maker is not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the applicant is a genuine student.
Student sponsors must maintain oversight of sponsored students throughout their studies and notify UK Visas and Immigration of reportable events relating to their students. These include non-enrolment, a failure to attend or engage, withdrawal from a course, and earlier-than-expected completion. Sponsors are assessed in the annual Basic Compliance Assessment on the rates of non-enrolment and course completion. If sponsorship is withdrawn or an individual no longer satisfies the Student route requirements, their permission may be cancelled in accordance with the Immigration Rules.
The Home Office can conduct both virtual audits and in-person visits (either announced or unannounced) of sponsors at any time to assess their compliance with their sponsorship duties. Sponsors are assessed annually against the Basic Compliance Assessment requirements of refusal rate, enrolment rate, and course completion rate. Sponsors must also request their allocation of sponsorship certificates annually, and the Home Office will take account of factors including the number of students currently studying at the institution, its student-to-teacher ratio, the number of full-time teaching staff and the capacity of its premises. These arrangements support oversight of the number of sponsored students and whether a sponsor can continue to meet its sponsorship duties
Education providers must hold a valid Student sponsor licence and meet the relevant educational oversight and immigration compliance requirements to sponsor international students. Student sponsors must also apply for a Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) each year to demonstrate that they continue to meet the required compliance standards. UK Visas and Immigration monitors sponsors through risk-based compliance activity and may take appropriate action where the required standards are not met or wider concerns are identified. Student route applications are considered on their individual merits against the Immigration Rules, including the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of English.
Student sponsors are required to monitor the academic engagement of sponsored students and report specified changes in their circumstances to UK Visas and Immigration, including where a student fails to enrol, ceases to study or sponsorship is withdrawn. Where an individual no longer meets the requirements of the Student route, the Home Office may cancel their permission in accordance with the Immigration Rules. Individuals must leave the UK before their permission expires, unless they have made a valid application for further permission to stay. Those who remain in the UK without permission are liable to enforcement action.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what action is taken by her Department when a Health and Care Worker Visa holder ceases employment with their sponsoring employer.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The employment and remuneration of those on Health and Care worker visas is routinely checked throughout their visa journey and an assessment is also made when they come to renew their visa.
If we identify that a worker is not employed or receiving the correct remuneration, or there are any other compliance concerns, we will consider the appropriate action to take. This may include the revocation of the sponsor’s licence.
If a Sponsor notifies us that a worker has ceased employment, they will be referred for the consideration of the cancellation of their leave.
Sponsors in the care sector are assessed in the same way as all other sponsor licence holders. We do not conduct specific operations in this sector.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department are taking to ensure that organisations holding sponsor licences are recruiting from overseas in response to genuine labour shortages rather than as a primary business model.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The assessment of the suitability of a sponsor licence holder that has previously had a licence revoked to sponsor workers in the future is set out in Workers and Temporary Workers - guidance for sponsors part 1: apply for a licence - GOV.UK
The circumstances that would normally lead to the suspension or revocation of a sponsor licence or any other compliance action is set out in Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance - GOV.UK
Licensed sponsors are permitted to recruit from overseas to fill any existing eligible role.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what circumstances would trigger compliance action where a high proportion of a sponsor's workforce consists of sponsored workers.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The assessment of the suitability of a sponsor licence holder that has previously had a licence revoked to sponsor workers in the future is set out in Workers and Temporary Workers - guidance for sponsors part 1: apply for a licence - GOV.UK
The circumstances that would normally lead to the suspension or revocation of a sponsor licence or any other compliance action is set out in Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance - GOV.UK
Licensed sponsors are permitted to recruit from overseas to fill any existing eligible role.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what circumstances would normally lead to the suspension of a sponsor licence.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The assessment of the suitability of a sponsor licence holder that has previously had a licence revoked to sponsor workers in the future is set out in Workers and Temporary Workers - guidance for sponsors part 1: apply for a licence - GOV.UK
The circumstances that would normally lead to the suspension or revocation of a sponsor licence or any other compliance action is set out in Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance - GOV.UK
Licensed sponsors are permitted to recruit from overseas to fill any existing eligible role.
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the suitability of a sponsor licence holder that has previously had a licence revoked to sponsor workers in the future.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The assessment of the suitability of a sponsor licence holder that has previously had a licence revoked to sponsor workers in the future is set out in Workers and Temporary Workers - guidance for sponsors part 1: apply for a licence - GOV.UK
The circumstances that would normally lead to the suspension or revocation of a sponsor licence or any other compliance action is set out in Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance - GOV.UK
Licensed sponsors are permitted to recruit from overseas to fill any existing eligible role.