Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

When she plans to appoint a Windrush Commissioner.

We have established a new Windrush Unit in the Home Office dedicated to driving systemic, cultural change across the whole Department to ensure that what happened to the Windrush generation never happens again. The reinstated Windrush Unit comprises of existing Home Office Civil Servants, so re-establishing the unit did not incur any additional cost. The appointment process for the Windrush Commissioner is nearing completion, and we will make an announcement shortly. Once appointed, the Commissioner will advise on the Home Office’s response to the Windrush Lessons Learned Review which will inform when the review is completed.

How many Border Security Command staff are (a) employed directly and (b) seconded from other Government (i) departments, (ii) agencies and (iii) public bodies.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 14 February to Question 30693.

What her Department's planned timetable is for raising the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa applicants.

The Immigration White Paper, published 12th May, set out a range of proposed reforms, further details of which will be set out in due course, and - where necessary – subject to consultation.

What assessment she has made of the merits of ensuring people coming to the UK have an appropriate level of English Language skills.

The White Paper sets out the Government’s proposals to increase the level of language ability required.The ability for individuals to communicate is essential to perform civic duties, and for all social connections including, crucially, with the communities in which they live and with state and other agencies such as local authorities and non- government services. Without adequate language skills, there is a risk of isolation as well as poor integration.Analysis of the Office for National Statistics’ Longitudinal Study, which looks across generations of migrants to the UK, shows that people with better English language skills were more likely to have worked at any time, be economically active or in full-time employment at present.Being able to speak and understand English also ensures that those coming to work here are less vulnerable to abuse and exploitation in the workplace.

What steps she plans to take to simplify the application process for the global talent visa for top (a) scientific and (b) design talent.

The UK’s current immigration system includes targeted routes for individuals who promote growth to come to the UK. Including as entrepreneurs, through the Innovator Founder route, and leaders and future leaders in key fields through routes including Global Talent and High Potential Individual.As part of our mission to promote growth, we will go further in ensuring that the very highly skilled have opportunities to come to the UK and access our targeted routes for the brightest and best global talent by increasing the number of people arriving on our very high talent routes, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries As part of that, increasing places to our scheme for research interns, including those working in the field of Artificial Intelligence, to allow businesses access to additional promising young talentWe are also streamlining the process for employers and skilled workers to get visas, reducing bureaucracy and supporting growth.The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

When the Windrush Unit plans to complete its review of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review, published on 19 March 2020.

We have established a new Windrush Unit in the Home Office dedicated to driving systemic, cultural change across the whole Department to ensure that what happened to the Windrush generation never happens again. The reinstated Windrush Unit comprises of existing Home Office Civil Servants, so re-establishing the unit did not incur any additional cost. The appointment process for the Windrush Commissioner is nearing completion, and we will make an announcement shortly. Once appointed, the Commissioner will advise on the Home Office’s response to the Windrush Lessons Learned Review which will inform when the review is completed.

What the cost was of re-establishing the Windrush Unit.

We have established a new Windrush Unit in the Home Office dedicated to driving systemic, cultural change across the whole Department to ensure that what happened to the Windrush generation never happens again. The reinstated Windrush Unit comprises of existing Home Office Civil Servants, so re-establishing the unit did not incur any additional cost. The appointment process for the Windrush Commissioner is nearing completion, and we will make an announcement shortly. Once appointed, the Commissioner will advise on the Home Office’s response to the Windrush Lessons Learned Review which will inform when the review is completed.

From when her Department expects key sectors with high levels of recruitment from abroad to (a) produce and (b) update a workforce strategy that relevant employers will be expected to comply with.

The Immigration White Paper, published 12th May, set out a range of proposed reforms, further details of which will be set out in due course, and - where necessary – subject to consultation.

When she plans to next increase the Immigration Skills Charge.

The Immigration White Paper, published 12th May, set out a range of proposed reforms, further details of which will be set out in due course, and - where necessary – subject to consultation.

With reference to paragraph 185 of the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, what further steps she is taking in relation to recent arrivals to the UK who commit crimes.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including the removal of foreign national offenders and treatment of recent arrivals in the UK who commit crimes, further details of which will be set out in due course.In the interim, the Hon Member will be pleased to note that – from 5 July 2024 – 18 May 2025 – 4,436 foreign national offenders were removed from the UK, a 14% percent increase on the same period twelve months prior.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of tightening suitability rules on the family migration routes.

The Immigration White paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including suitability rules on the family migration routes, further details of which will be set out in due course.

With reference to paragraph 236 of the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, when she plans to establish new procedures so that visas can be revoked in a wider range of crimes where non-custodial sentences have been given.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including new procedures to enable visas to be revoked in a wider range of crimes, further details of which will be set out in due course.

By how many places she plans to increase the very high talent visa routes for people working in AI.

The UK’s current immigration system includes targeted routes for individuals who promote growth to come to the UK. Including as entrepreneurs, through the Innovator Founder route, and leaders and future leaders in key fields through routes including Global Talent and High Potential Individual.As part of our mission to promote growth, we will go further in ensuring that the very highly skilled have opportunities to come to the UK and access our targeted routes for the brightest and best global talent by increasing the number of people arriving on our very high talent routes, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries As part of that, increasing places to our scheme for research interns, including those working in the field of Artificial Intelligence, to allow businesses access to additional promising young talentWe are also streamlining the process for employers and skilled workers to get visas, reducing bureaucracy and supporting growth.The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

On what date the Border Security Commander became responsible for (a) border security and (b) collection of illegal migration data.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 14 February to Question 30693.

What steps she plans to take to introduce faster routes for bringing people to the UK.

The UK’s current immigration system includes targeted routes for individuals who promote growth to come to the UK. Including as entrepreneurs, through the Innovator Founder route, and leaders and future leaders in key fields through routes including Global Talent and High Potential Individual.As part of our mission to promote growth, we will go further in ensuring that the very highly skilled have opportunities to come to the UK and access our targeted routes for the brightest and best global talent by increasing the number of people arriving on our very high talent routes, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries As part of that, increasing places to our scheme for research interns, including those working in the field of Artificial Intelligence, to allow businesses access to additional promising young talentWe are also streamlining the process for employers and skilled workers to get visas, reducing bureaucracy and supporting growth.The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring family units have sufficient money to financially support any migrants without relying on the public purse through (a) reviewing and (b) extending the financial requirements to other dependant routes.

The Immigration White paper, published 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including reform of Family Migration, further details of which will be set out in due course.On 10 September 2024, the Home Secretary commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules. It is expected the MAC will issue their report in the Summer. We will carefully consider the MAC’s recommendations before making any further changes.

When she expects the Border Security Command to be fully operational.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 14 February to Question 30693.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of sub-threshold activities by the Russian Federation on migration patterns in eastern Europe.

The Home Office and its partner agencies work closely and continuously with their international counterparts, including those working at the EU external border, to review the patterns and drivers behind migration patterns, assess risks, and develop our responses accordingly.

From where the 1,000 staff redeployed into enforcement and returns since 5 July 2024 were moved from.

Since July 2024 the Home Office has redeployed 1,000 FTE staff to increase delivery of the government’s returns and enforcement priorities. These staff have been drawn from across the Department, including from those teams previously deployed to try and make the failed Rwanda scheme work.

With reference to paragraph 160 of the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, when she plans to undertake a review of existing refugee (a) sponsorship and (b) resettlement schemes.

The Immigration White paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues including a review of refugee sponsorship and resettlement, further details of which will be set out in due course.