Written questions by Bennett.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of alcohol licensing legislation in the context of rapid delivery services.

Awaiting answer.

Whether Appendix ECAA visa holders will be affected by retrospective changes to settlement requirements.

The earned settlement model, proposed in ’A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. The consultation seeks views on whether there should be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement, such as those currently on ECAA visas. In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the ECAA route will continue to apply. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following the consultation.

If her Department will provide a guarantee that any changes to settlement rules will not have an adverse impact on families that are on the five-year pathway to remain.

The earned settlement model, proposed in A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026.The consultation seeks views on whether there should be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement.We will continue to offer a shorter pathway to settlement for non-UK dependants of British citizens, on the family route, to five years, provided they have remained compliant with their requirements, and we will retain existing safeguards to protect the vulnerable, including settlement rights for victims of domestic violence and abuse.I do not want to prejudge the outcome of the consultation, so there is no further detail I can give at this time.The government’s response to the consultation will be subject to an economic and equality impact assessment, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Whether migrant workers employed in the social care sector will be subject to the same settlement routes and qualifying periods as counterparts working in the NHS under the Health and Care visa.

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. It is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026.The consultation seeks views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation.The final model will also be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Whether her Department has assessed the potential impact of a 15-year baseline qualifying period for settlement on the functioning and long-term sustainability of social care services.

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. It is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026.The consultation seeks views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation.The final model will also be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Whether the Government will consider assessing household income rather than individual income when determining eligibility for settlement under the proposed contribution-based requirements.

The earned settlement model is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. Details of the earned settlement scheme will be finalised following that consultation. However, the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and the command paper accompanying the current consultation, entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, have both already committed to retaining a five-year route to settlement for the spouses and children of British citizens.

Whether the Department has evaluated the tax contribution of the sponsoring British partner when assessing the overall economic contribution of mixed-nationality families under the proposed new settlement requirements.

The earned settlement model is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. Details of the earned settlement scheme will be finalised following that consultation. However, the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and the command paper accompanying the current consultation, entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, have both already committed to retaining a five-year route to settlement for the spouses and children of British citizens.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed new earnings requirement for settlement on British children in families where one parent is a non-UK national with primary caring responsibilities.

The earned settlement model is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. Details of the earned settlement scheme will be finalised following that consultation. However, the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and the command paper accompanying the current consultation, entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, have both already committed to retaining a five-year route to settlement for the spouses and children of British citizens.

Whether the proposed minimum earnings requirement for settlement applications will apply to family migration routes, including partners and spouses of British citizens.

The earned settlement model is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. Details of the earned settlement scheme will be finalised following that consultation. However, the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and the command paper accompanying the current consultation, entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, have both already committed to retaining a five-year route to settlement for the spouses and children of British citizens.

On what evidential basis it is her policy that minimum individual earnings should determine eligibility for settlement, including for applicants with no access to public funds.

The earned settlement model is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. Details of the earned settlement scheme will be finalised following that consultation. However, the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and the command paper accompanying the current consultation, entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, have both already committed to retaining a five-year route to settlement for the spouses and children of British citizens.

If she will review the (a) screening procedures, (b) trauma training and (c) other mental health support for the police.

The Home Office recognises that the police, through the nature of their work, are often exposed to traumatic incidents that can have a lasting impact on their mental health. That is why we are committed to the Police Covenant, ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of the workforce is fully supported throughout their careers and beyond.The Home Office works closely with policing partners, including the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, to ensure appropriate psychological risk assessments, trauma management training, and wider wellbeing support are in place, including regularly reviewing force performance against agreed standards. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) assess forces’ performance on wellbeing through its annual PEEL inspections.

Whether she plans to extend the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme beyond 18 months.

On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.The extension aligns with the UK Government’s ongoing support for Ukraine and its people, while also respecting the Ukrainian Government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens. It is for this reason that our offer of sanctuary through the Ukraine schemes remains temporary in nature and does not lead to settlement in the UK.We continue to keep the Ukraine Schemes and the evolving situation in Ukraine under active review, whilst also working closely with Ukraine and international partners, including European countries offering protection under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.

Whether she has considered the potential merits of introducing a visa route for Ukrainians that could lead to settlement, similar to those implemented in (a) Poland and (b) Czechia.

On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.The extension aligns with the UK Government’s ongoing support for Ukraine and its people, while also respecting the Ukrainian Government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens. It is for this reason that our offer of sanctuary through the Ukraine schemes remains temporary in nature and does not lead to settlement in the UK.We continue to keep the Ukraine Schemes and the evolving situation in Ukraine under active review, whilst also working closely with Ukraine and international partners, including European countries offering protection under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.

Whether she plans to introduce a long-term solution for Ukrainians who are not able to return to Ukraine.

On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.The extension aligns with the UK Government’s ongoing support for Ukraine and its people, while also respecting the Ukrainian Government’s strong desire for the future return of its citizens. It is for this reason that our offer of sanctuary through the Ukraine schemes remains temporary in nature and does not lead to settlement in the UK.We continue to keep the Ukraine Schemes and the evolving situation in Ukraine under active review, whilst also working closely with Ukraine and international partners, including European countries offering protection under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive.

Whether her Department has undertaken an impact assessment on the decision to end overseas recruitment of care workers.

We recognise the huge contribution of overseas care, but it is important that long-term plans are drawn up to train homegrown talent into the care sector.As outlined in the ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System - Technical Annex’, it is estimated there will be an annual reduction of approximately 7,000 main applicants resulting from the removal of Care and Senior Care worker occupations from the Health and Social Care route.To manage this change, there will be a transitional period until 2028.Many care workers arriving on this route have been widely exploited, with tens of thousands displaced and promised jobs that did not materialise. They will be given the opportunity to work in the care sector, alongside the ongoing development of future workforce plans.The White Paper sets out a number of reforms to the immigration system which will be implemented in a phased way. Each measure will be subject to an impact assessment when they are brought into force.

Whether her Department plans to start (a) recording and (b) reporting on the number of animals who are bred for, but not actually used in, scientific procedures within animal testing figures.

The Home Office is presently reviewing the collection and publication of additional statistics on animals that were bred but not used in scientific procedures.

Whether she plans to regulate the fees charged by GPs to applicants for a medical review for a firearms licensing application.

Medical checks are an important part of the firearms licensing process and help to ensure that those in possession of firearms licences do not present a threat to themselves or others.Since November 2021, applicants have been required to provide medical information from a doctor when submitting their application for a firearms certificate. While doctors can charge a fee to the applicant to provide the medical information in relation to a firearms licence application, whether such a fee is charged, or the level of that fee, are a matter between the applicant and the doctor.

What assessment he has made of the benefits of extending protections for retail workers to retail delivery drivers in the Crime and Policing Bill.

Under the previous government, shop theft soared to record highs, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We won’t stand for this because everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work. To tackle the unacceptable surge in shoplifting and retail crime, and following years of campaigning, our Crime and Policing Bill introduces a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores, sending a strong message to offenders and would-be offenders that violence against retail workers will not be tolerated. As introduced, the definition of a ‘retail worker’ does not include delivery drivers. Keeping a tight definition provides legal clarity and ensures there is less ambiguity for courts in identifying whether an individual is a retail worker and impacted during their job. Workers whose roles are not included are already covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, such as actual bodily harm (ABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH). That said, the whole purpose of the parliamentary process is to scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and we will, of course, consider carefully any amendments and supporting evidence. Public-facing workers are also covered by the aggravating factor introduced by the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Act, which ensures the courts consider the public-facing nature of a victim’s role when issuing a sentence for an offence and sends a clear message that violence and abuse towards any worker will not be tolerated. We expect those who perpetrate these damaging crimes to always face the full force of the law. Through the passage of this Bill, we will continue to engage with a number of stakeholders across relevant sectors to ensure the law is fit for purpose to protect all public-facing workers from violence and abuse.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure the protection of personal data in the context of Apple’s withdrawal of Advanced Data Protection.

The UK has a strong track record of protecting people’s privacy whilst also ensuring action can be taken against child sexual abusers and terrorists.The Investigatory Powers Act contains robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and ensure that data is only obtained on an exceptional basis and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so.The Home Office does not comment on operational matters. This has been the longstanding position of successive UK Governments for reasons of national security.

Whether money spent on the UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership has been distributed to M23 militias in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Under the previous government’s Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) with Rwanda, an Economic Transformation and Integration Fund was agreed to support the Government of Rwanda to achieve its Vision 2050 and National Strategy for Transformation 1 development strategies, which are intended to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth within Rwanda and improve the conditions of the existing refugee population and host communities, including in areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and job creation.Further costs relating to the MEDP have been published here: Breakdown of Home Office costs associated with the MEDP with Rwanda and the Illegal Migration Act 2023 - GOV.UK.