Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to help people who were placed on a ten year route to settlement in July 2012 and are reaching the end of this ten year period but cannot afford to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Settlement in the UK is a privilege, not an automatic entitlement. Anyone not qualifying for settlement, including being unable to pay the fee, is able to apply to extend their permission to stay in the UK.

There is already a fee waiver in place for those making applications to extend their permission to stay in the UK who cannot afford the fee, are destitute, at risk of imminent destitution or where the welfare of a child would be put at risk by payment of the fee.

It is right for users of the immigration system, who benefit directly, to be charged a fee. Although a fee waiver is not available for settlement, it is available for an application for permission to stay in the UK and this arrangement allows an individual to continue with their life in the UK, and even to apply for access to public funds if necessary. They can then apply for settlement once they have saved the necessary funds to pay the application fee.

Income from fees charged plays a vital role in the Home Office’s ability to run a sustainable Migration and Borders system and it is the government’s policy those who use and benefit most from the immigration system should contribute towards the cost of operating the system, reducing reliance on the UK taxpayer. Fees levels and access to fee waivers are reviewed regularly.