Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to encourage people residing illegally long-term in the UK to (a) normalise their immigration status or (b) return to their homeland.

Those without leave to remain in the UK should make arrangements to return to their home country. A Voluntary Return Service exists to support those wishing to leave the UK, and can include assistance with organising travel and reintegration support in their country of return.

The Home Office works with stakeholders including Local Authorities, non-profit organisations and other government departments to raise awareness of the service and support families and individuals without status return to their home country.

The department also engages with diaspora communities to raise awareness of the risks and consequences of illegal migration, and the options to regularise stay or to return voluntarily to their country of origin.