Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the criteria are for the use of a case arising from the tax affairs of an individual that was settled by HMRC in a decision to refuse an application by that person for renewed leave to remain in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

In immigration routes which awarded points for an applicant’s UK earnings, we must be satisfied that those earnings are genuine.

Where we identify discrepancies between the income declared to the Home Office and to HMRC, we give applicants an opportunity to explain the reasons for the discrepancies. We will take into consideration the nature of the discrepancy, all available evidence and any explanation from the applicant before making a decision.