Written questions by Jardine.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of including an annual earnings requirement of £12,570 for three to five years within the proposed Earned Settlement reforms for Indefinite Leave to Remain on women who take statutory maternity leave.

Proposals for introducing an earned settlement model, as set out in the Command Paper ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’ (CP1448), were subject to a public consultation, which opened on 20 November 2025 and closed on 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing the results of this to inform the development of the final model. The consultation sought views on the impact proposed changes might have on different groups. Implementation of the earned settlement arrangements will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Whether she plans to review the adequacy of rules governing (a) passport countersignatures and (b) the associated list of allowed professions.

His Majesty’s Passport Office policy on who can act as a referee is kept under review as part of the general programme of work to modernise and improve the passport application process.The list of recognised professions is set out online. It is not a definitive list; alternatives provided by a customer will be considered. Customers can call the Passport Adviceline if they have questions about a passport application.

What recent progress her Department has made with the policing sector on supporting the effective implementation of the McCloud remedy.

While the Home Office has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the police pension regulations, the police pension scheme is locally administered by individual police forces. The Home Office is working with the policing sector to support the effective implementation of the McCloud remedy for all affected individuals.It is for each Chief Constable, in their role as scheme manager for their force, to determine their administrative timetable, in accordance with the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022, including when remedy payments will be distributed.

If she will take legislative steps to introduce a gender-neutral marker on passports.

The purpose of identity documents, including passports, is to verify a person’s identity and confirm they are the rightful holder of the document.Current policy is that only ‘male’ and ‘female’ sexes are recognised for official purposes under UK law, which is reflected in UK passport policy.There are no current plans to introduce a gender-neutral marker on passports.

What steps she is taking to address the pension shortfalls experienced by police officers who, affected by the McCloud judgement, are classified as being in Immediate Detriment.

While the Home Office has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the police pension regulations in England & Wales, the police pension scheme is locally administered by individual police forces. The Home Office is working with the policing sector to support the effective implementation of the McCloud remedy for all affected individuals.It is for each Chief Constable, in their role as scheme manager for their force, to determine their administrative timetable, including when remedy payments will be distributed.The devolved governments have overarching policy and legislative responsibility in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Whether she plans to retain the graduate visa route at the current eligibility salary threshold.

The Graduate route does not have a salary threshold for eligibility.As set out in by the Home Secretary in her written statement on the 30th July, this Government values the economic and academic contribution that international students make to this country, including those here on the Graduate route.