Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many substantive asylum interviews were conducted (a) via video technology and (b) in total in 2021.

The Home Office are unable to state the number of asylum interviews were conducted via video technology and in total in 2021 as this information is not published because it is not held in a reportable format.

The Home Office has successfully used video technology to support remote interviewing for more than 2 years and has appropriate operating procedures that are designed to ensure participants are able to give the best account of their circumstances when it is used.

We are also able to offer in person interviews for those seeking asylum if requested or required where additional needs are presented.