Written questions by Mierlo.

How many family visa applications have been outstanding for more than 12 months; and what steps her Department is taking to expedite overdue cases.

The number of family visa applications outstanding for more than 12 months is not currently available from published statistics. The relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.All family visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Immigration Rules and in line with the published family visa processing times available here: Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK. Where applicants require their application to be expedited owing to their individual compelling and compassionate circumstances, we will consider each case on its own merit.The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, including service standards for processing visa applications, where applicable. The department is also in the process of implementing technology changes to improve efficiency and support faster processing of family visa applications.Applicants on certain family routes may choose to use optional priority or super priority services, where available, for an additional fee to receive a faster decision on their application. Applicants using the priority service will usually receive a decision within five working days.Further information on the priority service is available here: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying for a faster decision - GOV.UKWhen an individual is considered for assessment of Change of Conditions, various No Recourse to Public Funds conditions are checked, with ‘destitution’ being one of these conditions.

What steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of delays in family visa applications on applicants who are unable to work while awaiting a decision.

The number of family visa applications outstanding for more than 12 months is not currently available from published statistics. The relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.All family visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Immigration Rules and in line with the published family visa processing times available here: Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK. Where applicants require their application to be expedited owing to their individual compelling and compassionate circumstances, we will consider each case on its own merit.The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, including service standards for processing visa applications, where applicable. The department is also in the process of implementing technology changes to improve efficiency and support faster processing of family visa applications.Applicants on certain family routes may choose to use optional priority or super priority services, where available, for an additional fee to receive a faster decision on their application. Applicants using the priority service will usually receive a decision within five working days.Further information on the priority service is available here: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying for a faster decision - GOV.UKWhen an individual is considered for assessment of Change of Conditions, various No Recourse to Public Funds conditions are checked, with ‘destitution’ being one of these conditions.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of decision‑making times on people subject to No Recourse to Public Funds restrictions who are awaiting the outcome of a family visa application.

The number of family visa applications outstanding for more than 12 months is not currently available from published statistics. The relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.All family visa applications are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Immigration Rules and in line with the published family visa processing times available here: Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK. Where applicants require their application to be expedited owing to their individual compelling and compassionate circumstances, we will consider each case on its own merit.The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, including service standards for processing visa applications, where applicable. The department is also in the process of implementing technology changes to improve efficiency and support faster processing of family visa applications.Applicants on certain family routes may choose to use optional priority or super priority services, where available, for an additional fee to receive a faster decision on their application. Applicants using the priority service will usually receive a decision within five working days.Further information on the priority service is available here: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying for a faster decision - GOV.UKWhen an individual is considered for assessment of Change of Conditions, various No Recourse to Public Funds conditions are checked, with ‘destitution’ being one of these conditions.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of Thames Valley Police in responding to information requests from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority; and what steps she is taking to ensure that police forces provide timely responses.

The Government expects all police forces to respond swiftly to requests for information from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.No assessment has been made of the performance of Thames Valley police in this regard.

What recent progress the Commission for Countering Extremism has made on tackling extremism.

The Commission is a non-statutory expert committee of the Home Office, set up to help the Government to understand the scale of extremism in the UK and the wider harms associated with it, beyond radicalisation into terrorism.The Commission for Countering Extremism has played a key role in the Government’s approach to counter-extremism by providing external challenge and plays a vital role in providing advice to the Government on how to address the challenge posed by extremism and harness innovative thinking around critical issues. It is vital that the Government hears from a range of independent voices that can advise, criticise, and review work on such a crucial issue.Robin Simcox was appointed as Interim Commissioner for the Commission for Countering Extremism in March 2021. He was appointed as the substantive Commissioner for Countering Extremism in July 2022, for a three-year term. As is usual when public appointments come to an end, Ministers are considering next steps and will update in due course.

If she will publish timelines for (a) asylum housing pilots and (b) funding to trial local delivery of housing for people seeking asylum.

We have committed to closing every asylum hotel, and work is well underway, with more suitable sites, including military bases, being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Home Office are exploring options for a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation with local authorities and devolved partners. This would complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate to end the use of hotels.

Whether the she plans to apply the proposed salary threshold and RQF Level 6 requirements for Skilled Worker visas retrospectively to people already in the UK under existing visa conditions when they apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain; and whether she plans to implement transitional protections for families who entered the UK legally under previous rules.

The earned settlement model, proposed in A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. Details of the earned settlement scheme, including any transitional arrangements for those already in the UK, will be finalised following that consultation.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of mainstream political engagement on reducing vulnerability to extremism; and if she will bring forward policy proposals to improve mainstream engagement to help prevent extremism.

Improving mainstream political engagement can have a positive impact on reducing vulnerability to extremism. It is so important that an all-party approach is taken to address the incredibly important issue of extremism. We are exploring options to improve our response to extremism.This Government takes extremism seriously. Efforts to counter extremism span a broad range of Government and law enforcement activity and we must persist in our efforts to challenge extremist narratives, disrupt the activity of radicalising groups, and directly tackle the causes of radicalisation.

(a) what assessment has the Department made of the impact that delays in UK Visas and Immigration processing times are having on the ability of hospitality businesses to recruit seasonal and skilled workers, and (b) what steps she is taking to help reduce these delays to support employers during peak trading periods.

UKVI are not currently experiencing any delays against our published service standards for either Seasonal or Skilled Workers.These can be found at:Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UKVisa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK

What progress has been made in appointing a chair to the National Inquiry into group based child sexual exploitation and abuse.

On 9 December 2025 the Home Secretary announced to Parliament the appointment of Baroness Anne Longfield CBE as Chair of the new Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, and Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE as Panel.The Chair will consult on the draft Terms of Reference published alongside this announcement with a view to making recommendations to the Home Secretary who will agree the final Terms of Reference in March 2026.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of applying the (a) proposed salary threshold and (b) RQF Level 6 requirements for Skilled Worker visas retrospectively to individuals already in the UK under existing visa conditions when they apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, sets out the Government’s proposed model for earned settlement, and accompanies the current public consultation on settlement reform, which is open until 12 February 2026. This proposes a qualification period for settlement of 15 years for Skilled Workers in professions below RQF Level 6. It is also proposed that paying income tax on per annum earnings above £50,217 or £125,140 might be rewarded with reductions to that qualification period of five and seven years, respectively. Further detail on earned settlement will be finalised following the conclusion of the public consultation. This will include detail on any transitional arrangements for people already in the UK.

What steps she is taking to tackle the theft of (a) farm equipment and (b) livestock.

We will be implementing the Equipment Theft Act, making it harder for criminals to sell on stolen vehicles and equipment and assisting the police with identifying the owner. The Act’s secondary legislation will require forensic marking to be applied to new All-Terrain Vehicles and for the details to be registered on a property database, for forensic marking to be applied to all new GPS units for use in agricultural and commercial settings, and for the details to be registered on a property database. This provides an important additional tool to help police identify if an item is stolen and to return it to its rightful owner. Additionally, the Crime and Policing Bill introduces a new power for the police to enter and search premises to which items have been electronically tracked by GPS or other means, which will help the police in tackling stolen equipment and machinery. This financial year we have provided the first Home Office funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit. The NRCU, takes the lead on improving co-ordination and partnership working, which provides police forces with specialist operational support in their responses to rural crime, such as the theft of farming machinery and livestock theft. We have also worked closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to deliver the new Rural and Wildlife Crime strategy which has just recently been published (25th November). The strategy sets out operational and organisational policing priorities in respect of tackling crimes that predominantly affect rural communities, including theft of farming machinery and livestock theft as priority areas of focus for policing.

When she plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Henley and Thames of 10 October 2025 on the importance of police referrals to suicide bereavement support services.

The Minister for Police and Crime Prevention will reply in due course.

What steps she is taking to ensure that automated systems used by public bodies do not misclassify Irish citizens as requiring EU settled status documentation.

The automated systems used by public bodies are the responsibility of the relevant organisation. Where a public body carries out automated checks with the Home Office, such checks will generally confirm whether the person holds a valid immigration status. The Home Office does not provide information or advice on what immigration status or documentation a person is required to hold as part of those checks. Irish citizens are treated as settled in the UK and are not required to hold an immigration status.

What discussions she has had with police forces on the potential impact of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 on the right to peaceful protest.

The right to protest is a fundamental part of our democratic society, and people are free to express their views peacefully within the law. The Home Office continues to engage regularly with policing partners on the application of legislation in the context of public order and freedom of expression.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the appointment of Immigration Adjudicators on the asylum backlog.

The Home Secretary confirmed in a statement to the House of Commons on 1 September that further information regarding Tribunal system reforms will be provided in due course. The statement can be accessed here: Borders and Asylum - Hansard - UK Parliament.

What funding she has allocated to tackle the asylum case backlog.

The Home Office does not have a separately identifiable budget for tackling the asylum case backlog. All costs involved are scored against Home Office business-as-usual budgets that cover all asylum cases regardless of age. You may find Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK useful, more specifically, the latest 2025 report and the accompanying core data table.You can also see Migration transparency data - GOV.UK, table ASY_04 of Immigration and Protection data which contains information on the cost of asylum.

What recent assessment she has made of the UKVI waiting times for answering enquiries regarding (a) UK passports and (b) British National status.

For customer enquiries made to the Passport Adviceline, in August, the average speed to answer passport related calls was 16 seconds.

Which police forces provide a family liaison officer in cases of (a) murder, (b) fatal accident, (c) unexplained death and (d) suicide.

We recognise that the role of the FLO is an important one, especially when supporting families during difficult times.However, decisions to assign an FLO in specific cases are made by individual police forces, and such decisions would therefore be an operational matter.

What steps she is taking to (a) help tackle online harassment and (b) improve protection for people in public life.

As Chair of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, I want to be clear: the harassment or intimidation of elected representatives - whether online or in person - is never acceptable. The work we are taking forward includes working across Government with the police, parliamentary authorities, to actively review our levers to tackle the harassment and intimidation of elected representatives, candidates, and electoral staff. For example, the Online Safety Act 2023 now requires platforms to remove illegal content - including threats and abuse - with Ofcom enforcing compliance.But we must go further. The threat is evolving, and so must our response. Under the Taskforce's renewed mandate, we are reviewing how to strengthen protections and close any gaps. Measures such as the new aggravating factor in the recently published Elections Strategy introduce clearer consequences for behaviour that crosses the line into abuse. I also welcome the important work of the Speaker's Conference and look forward to its final recommendations.