Written questions by Sobel.

With reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, whether her Department has undertaken an (a) equality and (b) impact assessment on the potential impact of its proposed changes to the qualifying period for settlement on (i) British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders and (ii) their family members.

The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future.We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details of the proposed scheme will be provided at that time. An assessment of equality and other impacts will be developed alongside any finalised policy.We regularly engage with representatives of the Hong Kong diaspora in the UK on issues related to the BN(O) visa and will continue to do so.

What steps she is taking to help support migrants into work.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in a wide range of areas, including employment opportunities for refugees, illegal working by asylum seekers, and exploitation and abuse of migrant workers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 58258 on Asylum: Syria, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of granting Syrian asylum seekers in the UK the right to work throughout the period in which all asylum interviews and decisions relating to Syrian nationals are paused.

Asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work. Those permitted to work are restricted to jobs on the Immigration Salary List. This policy applies to Syrian nationals whose asylum claims have been temporarily paused while we await reliable and objective information to enable an accurate assessment of the risk they may face upon return to Syria.The pause on Syrian asylum claims is under constant review and as soon as there is a clear basis upon which to make decisions, we will resume the processing of them.

When she plans to publish the evaluation of the move-on period pilot extension; and whether her Department plans to further extend the pilot.

In December, the Home Office operationalised a pilot to extend the grace period to 56 days. It is important that we take the necessary time to evaluate the impact of the interim measures, including overall net costs to taxpayers, before deciding whether to make the measures permanent. We will make further announcements in the normal way in due course.

What steps she plans to take to process the outstanding asylum applications of Syrians in the UK.

Following the fall of the Assad regime, the Home Office has withdrawn the Country Policy Information Notes and Guidance relating to Syria and has temporarily paused all asylum interviews and decisions.The pause is being kept under constant review and when there is a clear basis upon which to make decisions, we will resume the processing of them.

With reference to the White paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published in May 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the settlement rule on British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders.

The British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route was launched on 31 January 2021 in response to China’s passing of the National Security Law. The route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997. The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future. Further details of all measures announced in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in the normal way in due course, and where necessary, will be subject to consultation.

Whether her Department plans to provide an additional resettlement quota for Afghan refugees in Pakistan identified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for resettlement.

Between 2021 and March 2025, over 34,000 individuals have been resettled and relocated through the Afghan Resettlement Programme. The latest immigration statistics can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2025.The Government’s priority remains the resettlement and relocation of those already identified as eligible but who have not yet travelled.

Pursuant to Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 41188 on Crossbows, what her Department's planned timetable is for publishing the (a) Government's response to that consultation and (b) steps the Government plans to take in relation to crossbow regulation.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 April, Official Report Volume 766, column 26 and 27. The Government will shortly publish our response to that call for evidence and this will set out the next steps we intend to take.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of waiving the written aspect of the English Language Test requirement for the Skilled Worker Visa where the role is manual.

The English language requirements for the Skilled Worker visa route are not only concerned with the level of English needed to do the job; they are fundamental to successful integration into British society, helping migrants to participate in community, life and work. In its 2022 annual report, the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) emphasised the importance of the English language in helping workers understand their rights and protect themselves against exploitation. The MAC strongly recommend against lowering or removing the English language requirement.

What guidance her Department has issued on whether transport carriers can accept (a) an expired British passport and (b) other evidence of British citizenship as proof of exemption from the electronic travel authorisation requirement.

We recommend that all dual nationals travel on a valid British or Irish citizen passport (or Irish passport card) or with a passport containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to minimise any potential delay during their journey; or at the border. Carriers bringing passengers to the UK routinely carry out checks to ensure passengers hold genuine, valid documents, so, it is likely that passengers seeking to rely on an expired passport to establish a permission to travel may be delayed or even denied travel. British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA to enter the UK and should not apply for one.

Whether dual citizens with British or Irish nationality are required to apply for electronic travel authorisation to travel to the UK in instances where their British or Irish passport has expired.

We recommend that all dual nationals travel on a valid British or Irish citizen passport (or Irish passport card) or with a passport containing a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to minimise any potential delay during their journey; or at the border. Carriers bringing passengers to the UK routinely carry out checks to ensure passengers hold genuine, valid documents, so, it is likely that passengers seeking to rely on an expired passport to establish a permission to travel may be delayed or even denied travel. British and Irish citizens do not need an ETA to enter the UK and should not apply for one.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a (a) hotline for reporting and (b) focus group on (i) politically motivated assaults and (ii) transnational repression.

Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact their local police in the first instance. In the event that a person believes they are subject to an imminent threat, they should call 999.The National Security Act 2023 strengthens our legal powers to counter foreign interference, and provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats. The police are raising awareness and capabilities of frontline officers and staff across the UK, including their understanding of the threats that foreign powers present and how to respond appropriately to reports from members of the public.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure sponsor licenses are processed within the service standards timeframes.

All fully completed, straightforward sponsor licence applications are currently being considered within the service standard timeframes.Only a small number of applications remain outside the service level agreement in cases where further information is required to support their application or where we are awaiting the outcome of a visit to the applicant’s premises.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure translators used by police forces are impartial.

Police are operationally independent so this is not a matter for the Home Office.The National Police Language Services (NPLS) team oversees the procurement and provision of language and interpretation services for police forces across the UK .National Police Language Services (NPLS) | Police.uk (www.police.uk)

Whether her Department plans to review training provisions for UK Border Force officers for entry into the UK for non-UK (a) artists, (b) sponsors and (c) creatives.

Border Force officers are trained to the highest of standards to be able to carry out their role to enforce immigration policy at the border.Throughout that training, officers are continually tested to ensure they have the required skills and knowledge to carry out their role.Training in relation to collective workers is thoroughly addressed within existing BF Foundation training given to all officers, and delivered across multiple sessions. This includes relevant policies, including the period of access, the Certificate of Sponsorship, and processing procedures associated with creative workers.To qualify for entry in this category, a passenger has to meet the following criteria:• have a valid Temporary Work - Creative Worker certificate of sponsorship (CoS)• are coming to work in the UK for 3 months or less.• do not normally need a visa to enter the UK as a visitor.Further information on how individuals can qualify to enter the UK under this category can be found at: Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work): Creative Worker visa concession - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a reporting system for transnational repression.

Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact their local police in the first instance. In the event that a person believes they are subject to an imminent threat, they should call 999.The National Security Act 2023 strengthens our legal powers to counter foreign interference, and provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats. The police are raising awareness and capabilities of frontline officers and staff across the UK, including their understanding of the threats that foreign powers present and how to respond appropriately to reports from members of the public.

Whether she plans to re-establish the Arts and Entertainment Taskforce.

The Government values the contribution from workers in the creative industries and is committed to ensuring there are immigration routes that work for them. There is an excellent immigration offer for workers within the creative industries and we continually keep our policies under review.

If her Department will take steps to improve (a) training and (b) guidance for Border Force officers on temporary admission procedures for entry into the UK for creative workers.

Border Force officers are trained to the highest of standards to be able to carry out their role to enforce immigration policy at the border.Throughout that training, officers are continually tested to ensure they have the required skills and knowledge to carry out their role.Training in relation to collective workers is thoroughly addressed within existing BF Foundation training given to all officers, and delivered across multiple sessions. This includes relevant policies, including the period of access, the Certificate of Sponsorship, and processing procedures associated with creative workers.To qualify for entry in this category, a passenger has to meet the following criteria:• have a valid Temporary Work - Creative Worker certificate of sponsorship (CoS)• are coming to work in the UK for 3 months or less.• do not normally need a visa to enter the UK as a visitor.Further information on how individuals can qualify to enter the UK under this category can be found at: Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work): Creative Worker visa concession - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Licensing Act 2003 to include a legal definition of the term drunk.

The High Court has set out in case law (Neale v E 1984) that the word ‘drunk’ should be given its ‘ordinary and natural meaning’.It is an offence under S.141 of the Licensing Act 2003 knowingly to serve alcohol to someone who is drunk. It is also an offence under S.142 of the Licensing Act 2002 to obtain alcohol for someone who is drunk. Those who commit either offence could be fined up to £1000.Ultimately the decision to serve alcohol to a person is taken by an appropriate person within a licensed premises – for example a designated premises supervisor.

Whether her Department plans to extend the temporary off-sales regulatory easement in the Business and Planning Act 2020 beyond 31 March 2025.

The Home Office conducted a consultation on the future of the temporary off-sales regulatory easement earlier this year. A response will be published in due course.