Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the current average wait time is for people calling the voluntary returns service to speak to a caseworker.

The information requested on waiting times is not available in a reportable format.

We are actively working to improve the helpline service and do encourage those who are able to access IT to make contact with the service by completing an online application form or sending us information via email.

VRS currently has around 40 caseworkers who divide their time between triage services, including answering the public phone line, processing online application forms and progressing cases to return.

We are currently in the process of recruiting and training additional staff into the Voluntary Returns Service which will assist in reducing waiting times.