Written questions by Amos.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five years to a longer period on British industry.

The consultation for the earned settlement model, as proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, was open to the public between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026.As part of this consultation, we sought views on the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the impact on British industry.We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received.  This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement.Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.  As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to both economic and equality impact assessments.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of aligning Section 2 shotgun licensing with Section 1 firearms licensing on (a) participation in shooting sports and (b) rural businesses; whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of alternative measures to improve public safety and licensing consistency; and what evidence base informed the decision to consult on merging these licensing regimes.

The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on other firearms in the interests of public safety. The Government response set out the reasons why the Government considers this consultation to be important, and we intend to publish this shortly.

What steps she plans to take to ensure that internationally recruited health and care workers on Band 3 salaries will be able to renew their visas after the proposed salary threshold increase.

Salary thresholds are an important way of ensuring those coming to work in the UK are able to support themselves. These workers do not have access to public funds so it is important a rate is set which will ensure people are earning sufficient income without having to rely on public funds. A number of health and care and education occupations are subject to lower rates of pay than other occupations.The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been asked to consider whether there should continue to be a different threshold for health and care worker visas. We look forward to receiving the MAC’s recommendations in due course.Individuals who are sponsored in the roles at band 3 before the rules changed on 22 July will be eligible to extend their visa providing they meet all of the requirements at the time including being paid the appropriate salary. Salary thresholds and going rates are routinely updated and sponsored workers will need to meet the salary requirements in place at the time when they apply for their visa to be renewed.

Whether her Department plans to take into account NHS-agreed pay scales when setting salary thresholds for Health and Care Worker visa renewals.

Salary thresholds are an important way of ensuring those coming to work in the UK are able to support themselves. These workers do not have access to public funds so it is important a rate is set which will ensure people are earning sufficient income without having to rely on public funds. A number of health and care and education occupations are subject to lower rates of pay than other occupations.The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been asked to consider whether there should continue to be a different threshold for health and care worker visas. We look forward to receiving the MAC’s recommendations in due course.Individuals who are sponsored in the roles at band 3 before the rules changed on 22 July will be eligible to extend their visa providing they meet all of the requirements at the time including being paid the appropriate salary. Salary thresholds and going rates are routinely updated and sponsored workers will need to meet the salary requirements in place at the time when they apply for their visa to be renewed.

With reference to the guidance entitled Immigration Rules, updated 10 October 2024, whether the rules applicable to a person with a Skilled Workers visa are those (a) currently in place or (b) when a person's leave was granted.

The most recent changes relating to the Skilled Worker immigration rules will apply to all applications made using a certificate of sponsorship issued from 8 October 2024. These changes were corrections to the salary going rates for the Skilled Worker route which came into force in April 2024.Changes made to the rules for partner and dependent child of a person will apply to all outstanding applications by Skilled Workers, and their dependents, regardless of the dates the applications were made, so they can benefit from the new provisions.These changes only affect applications which have yet to be decided. They do not apply to applications which have already been granted.