Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate his Department has made of how long it will take to process pending applications for settled status from EU citizens.
Answered by Tom Pursglove
Figures for EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications awaiting a decision as at 30 June 2023 are included in the latest statistical release EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics, September 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) in the Other related data section.
Complete applications under the EUSS are generally processed within a month, if no further information is required, but may take longer in certain circumstances. More information on EUSS processing times is available at: EU Settlement Scheme: current estimated processing times for applications - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
All applications are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on their individual circumstances. Those who have made a valid EUSS application can rely on their Certificate of Application as evidence of their right to live and work in the UK pending the outcome of their application, including any appeal.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a temporary measure to allow new UK citizens to re-enter the UK from overseas travel using their Indefinite Leave to Remain Biometric Residence Permit while they await the issue of a UK adult passport.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
There are no plans to allow new UK citizens to use a biometric residence permit (BRP) to enter the UK while they wait for the issue of a UK passport. BRPs can only be held and used by foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control. When they become British citizens the BRP card is cancelled, and holders are required to return their BRP card to UK Visas and Immigration.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2023 to Question 130066 on Biometrics visa exemptions, what the procedure is for a person to be excused or deferred from having to enrol their biometric information where the case has been determined as urgent.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
In most circumstances we require biometrics from everyone who applies for a visa or a biometric residence permit to ensure we protect our national security.
Where applicants have contacted UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to say they are unable to travel to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to enrol their biometrics, we write to them to explain how they can request an urgent consideration on whether we would predetermine their application or waive the requirement for them to attend a VAC. UKVI will assess the applicant’s particular circumstances to determine whether they are particularly exceptional so that their request requires urgent consideration based on the evidence they provide. Where a request is deemed urgent, they will contact the applicant within 28 days of receipt of their request. If the request is considered to be urgent it will be assessed in line with the published biometric enrolment guidance.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2023 to Question 130066 on Biometrics visa exemptions, how her Department defines an urgent request for a person to be excused or deferred from having to enrol their biometric information.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
In most circumstances we require biometrics from everyone who applies for a visa or a biometric residence permit to ensure we protect our national security.
Where applicants have contacted UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to say they are unable to travel to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to enrol their biometrics, we write to them to explain how they can request an urgent consideration on whether we would predetermine their application or waive the requirement for them to attend a VAC. UKVI will assess the applicant’s particular circumstances to determine whether they are particularly exceptional so that their request requires urgent consideration based on the evidence they provide. Where a request is deemed urgent, they will contact the applicant within 28 days of receipt of their request. If the request is considered to be urgent it will be assessed in line with the published biometric enrolment guidance.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to consult with organisations representing refugees and asylum seekers when determining the level of the annual cap on the number of refugees who will be allowed to settle in the UK.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
As the Home Secretary set out in her 7 March 2023 statement, the Illegal Migration Bill will introduce an annual cap, to be agreed by Parliament, on the number of refugees the UK will resettle via safe and legal routes. This cap will be amendable in response to humanitarian emergencies, and, in setting the cap, we will engage with local authorities to determine their capacity to accommodate and support individuals.
Our intention, as outlined in the Bill, is to engage with relevant organisations as necessary to understand the UK’s capacity to accommodate and support those who arrive on safe and legal routes. The annual cap pertains exclusively to safe and legal routes and does not apply to asylum seekers.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how her Department plans to determine the level of the annual cap on the number of refugees who will be allowed to settle in the UK.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
As the Home Secretary set out in her 7 March 2023 statement, the Illegal Migration Bill will introduce an annual cap, to be agreed by Parliament, on the number of refugees the UK will resettle via safe and legal routes. This cap will be amendable in response to humanitarian emergencies, and, in setting the cap, we will engage with local authorities to determine their capacity to accommodate and support individuals.
Our intention, as outlined in the Bill, is to engage with relevant organisations as necessary to understand the UK’s capacity to accommodate and support those who arrive on safe and legal routes. The annual cap pertains exclusively to safe and legal routes and does not apply to asylum seekers.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the economic and equality impact assessment of the Illegal Migration Bill before the bill reaches Committee stage.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
We will publish an equality impact assessment and economic impact assessment in respect of the Illegal Migration Bill in due course.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, by what process the Home Secretary decides whether to (a) predetermine an application before a person attends a Visa Application Centre and (b) excuse the requirement to attend a Visa Application Centre to enrol their biometrics for a visa.
Answered by Robert Jenrick
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave to UIN 130066 on 30th January 2023: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to increase funding for the Safer Streets Fund.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Safer Streets Fund is intended to cut crime and the harm it causes. Everyone in this country should have the security and confidence that comes from a safe street and a safe home. Since the Fund launched in 2020, we have invested £120 million through four rounds supporting 270 projects across England and Wales.
Although there have been no schemes in Battersea specifically, £3.2 million has been awarded through all rounds of the Safer Streets Fund to local projects across London to prevent crime through measures such as improved street lighting, CCTV and educational campaigns to change behaviours and attitudes.
This includes just over £1 million in investment through Round Four for projects targeting neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls and anti-social behaviour.
Decisions on the geographical coverage of London funding bids submitted to the Safer Streets is matter for the Mayor of London.
We intend to set out our plans for future rounds of Safer Streets in the near future.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle car crime in Battersea.
Answered by Chris Philp - Shadow Home Secretary
The Government is committed to tackling vehicle crime.
We are working closely with police and motor manufacturers through the National Vehicle Crime Working Group, chaired by ACC Jennifer Sims, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for vehicle crime, to take forward a programme of work to prevent and reduce vehicle crime nationally. This includes training police officers on methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to prevent theft. The Metropolitan Police Service is represented on the Working Group.
A network of vehicle crime leads has been established in every police force in England and Wales, ensuring forces share information about emerging trends in vehicle crime and are better able to tackle regional issues.