Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has to house the Hong Kong BNO passport holders when they arrive in the UK; and whether they will be dispersed throughout the UK or settled in one group.

On 31 January 2021 the UK Government launched a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O) status holders, providing the opportunity for them and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK. There is no restriction in terms of where they wish to settle in the UK or plan to do so.

Work is taking place across Government and alongside civil society groups and others to support the effective integration of BN(O) status holders arriving in the UK, ensuring they have access to the necessary support to allow them to thrive in the UK.

Volumes

We estimate there are 2.9 million BN(O) status holders eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.5 million eligible dependants. There remains uncertainty in the numbers of BN(O) status holders we expect to come to the UK.

As set out in the published impact assessment, our central estimates of those who will take up this offer range between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) status holders and their dependants coming in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years. Details of the impact assessment can be found at:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2020/70/pdfs/ukia_20200070_en.pdf

Impact on the UK

There will be some costs to public services, but the implementation of this visa is estimated to have a net positive impact on the UK, benefiting the economy by between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over 5 years.

Access to services

As part of preparations for the Hong Kong BN(O) route, the Home Office has been working closely across Government to ensure the UK is prepared for the launch of the BN(O) route.

Officials at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have written to all local authorities in England and devolved administrations to ensure they were aware of expected numbers coming to their areas. In addition, the Department for Education is fully involved in planning and communications with local authorities, including Regional Schools Commissioners.

Regarding impact on the NHS, BN(O) status holders and their family members will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Like other nationals coming to the UK, it is right they contribute to the health care system they will be using. Income from the IHS goes directly into the NHS.

Part of the integration planning for the new BN(O) route includes access to support materials to help BN(O) status holders find work. In addition, to support employers, the Home Office has issued new guidance which clearly sets out the work BN(O) status holders and their family members can do in the UK.