Written questions by Osamor.

What steps her Department is taking to protect (a) visa-holders and (b) those holding university offers from being affected by the suspension of study visas from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.

The decision to introduce the visa brakes was driven by clear evidence of high levels of visa-linked asylum claims across all four nationalities. By year ending September 2025, asylum applications by students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan had risen to over 470% of their 2021 level. This continued and rising asylum risk from this cohort necessitated swift and decisive action through the introduction of a visa brake on a nationality basis.The brake does not apply to those who already hold a valid Student visa, nor to applications submitted before it came into force on 26 March. In order to allow those prospective students with an offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to apply for visas, we provided 21 days’ notice of the implementation of the visa brakes. There are no plans for any further exceptions to the brake.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of alternative measures to blanket nationality-based suspensions of student visas, such as targeted enforcement measures based on individual risk assessment.

The decision to introduce the visa brakes was driven by clear evidence of high levels of visa-linked asylum claims across all four nationalities. By year ending September 2025, asylum applications by students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan had risen to over 470% of their 2021 level. This continued and rising asylum risk from this cohort necessitated swift and decisive action through the introduction of a visa brake on a nationality basis.The brake does not apply to those who already hold a valid Student visa, nor to applications submitted before it came into force on 26 March. In order to allow those prospective students with an offer from a licensed sponsor and a valid Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) to apply for visas, we provided 21 days’ notice of the implementation of the visa brakes. There are no plans for any further exceptions to the brake.

In what way asylum applicants are informed about the use of artificial intelligence; and what process is in place to address any errors.

The Home Office is investing in innovative techniques, including the use of AI, to explore how we can improve productivity and continue to maintain order in the asylum system.No process and/or tooling details are currently released to asylum claimants - this has not changed with the incorporation of AI elements into caseworking.AI technology does not make decisions on Asylum applications, instead, it helps analyse data and provides insightful information that can further inform choices. This is in line with the ‘human in the loop’ principle. The Home Office does not currently use AI software to transcribe asylum interviews or other components of the asylum decision making process.Existing quality control processes are followed alongside data capture, development and two-way feedback mechanisms.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of using artificial intelligence in asylum (a) interviews and (b) casework on those processes.

The Home Office is investing in innovative techniques, including AI, to explore how we can improve productivity and continue to maintain order in the asylum system. AI technology does not make decisions on Asylum applications, instead, it helps analyse data and provides insightful information that can further inform choices. This is in line with the ‘human in the loop’ principle. The Home Office does not currently use AI software to transcribe asylum interviews or other components of the asylum decision making process.Comprehensive Equality Impact Assessments and DPIAs were carried out for our AI caseworking tools during their development and ahead of pilots – this applies to both the Asylum Policy Search tool (APS; fully rolled out) and Asylum Case Summarisation tool (ACS; still in development and testing). Feedback loops and comprehensive monitoring is in place to continuously assess usage and impact for users and overall purpose.The Equality Impact Assessments for APS and ACS are being reviewed and updated following the pilots for both tools and will be published in due course, after ACS has been fully operationalised.

Whether her Department plans to publish the (a) Data Protection Impact Assessment and (b) Equality Impact Assessment for the (i) Asylum Case Summarisation and (ii) Asylum Policy Search tools.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the Department intends to publish a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) for either the Asylum Policy Search tool ([ii] APS; fully rolled out) and/or the Asylum Case Summarisation tool ([i] ACS; full roll out due April 2026) after both have been operationalised.The Equality Impact Assessments for APS and ACS [i, ii] are being updated following the completion of pilots for both tools, and the current intention is to publish them in due course, after ACS has been fully operationalised in April 2026.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure non-refoulement in its migrant return policy with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

No one who is found to be at legitimate risk of persecution or serious harm will be expected to return to their country of origin. Individuals are only returned to their country of origin when the Home Office and, where applicable, the courts deem it is safe to do so.

What steps her Department is taking to address the disproportionate number of Black and Black mixed heritage young people who are reported missing in the UK.

The Government is committed to working to ensure that children and young people are kept safe from harm, including when they are reported missing. This includes working to ensure that police forces are equipped to respond appropriately and working effectively with other multiagency safeguarding partners.I recognise the concerns previously raised about unconscious bias in the police response to missing persons from BAME communities. Following NPCC research to explore disproportionality and discrimination in police missing persons investigations, forces across England and Wales continue to improve practice and responses to address this. The report can be found here:Disproportion and decision: Ethnic minority overrepresentation and police risk assessment in missing persons casesWe will continue to work across government and with partners to ensure an effective whole-system response when someone goes missing, while also working to address the underlying harms that lead to these complex situations.

If her Department will consider adopting the recommendations set out in Refugee Action’s report Laying the Foundations: Making asylum housing work by investing in communities, published in November 2025.

We are actively working with local authorities to develop several potential accommodation models that could ‘pilot’ a more sustainable, flexible and collaborative outcome. These ‘pilot’ models will examine potential alternative accommodation sources – in collaboration with councils – promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), in partnership with the Home Office, is investing millions in a new locally led accommodation model. This funding will support local authorities to make available basic alternative accommodation to be used on a temporary basis to house asylum seekers waiting for their cases to be processed. The ambition is that this investment will leave a lasting legacy of housing for local communities and reduce pressure on local housing markets. MHCLG and the Home Office are committed to continue working closely with devolved governments and local government to co-design this new model, building on the work undertaken to date.This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to include decapod crustaceans.

The Government is committed to an evidence-based and proportionate approach to setting welfare standards for decapod. This applies both to those caught for human consumption and to those used in scientific research. The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 recognises decapod crustaceans as sentient beings.The Home Office is carefully considering the next steps in collaboration with other relevant departments.The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives in science and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year.

What recent estimate her Department has made of the number of British citizen children living in households subject to No Recourse to Public Funds.

The No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition applies to the vast majority of adult temporary migrants in the UK and those without legal status, many of whom may not be in touch with the Home Office. Data on the children within migrant families is not routinely collected. However, the Home Office regularly engages with stakeholders via the NRPF forum which provides a platform to raise concerns and share experiences of those affected by the policy.

Whether she has had discussions with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service on the time taken to process Subject Access Requests.

Compliance with data protection obligations, including the handling of Subject Access Requests (SARs), is the responsibility of individual police forces. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) produces guidance for organisations on how to comply with data protection law.The Data (Use and Access) Act received Royal Assent in June 2025 and includes some changes to data protection obligations while maintaining high standards of protection for personal data. As part of the development of that legislation, Home Office officials engaged with policing stakeholders in the usual way.

What progress the Metropolitan Police has made on abolishing the Gangs Matrix Database.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on their website that they discontinued the Gangs Matrix on 13th February 2024.Data was retained for 12 months to ensure the force could serve any Right of Access requests and the data was deleted on 13th February 2025.

Whether her Department has plans to introduce service standards for all applications for settlement made under the (a) family and (b) private life route.

Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain based on Family or Private life will be decided within six months.Full details of current service standards can be found here:Settlement: customer service standards - GOV.UK

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the absence of service standards on all applications under the (a) family and (b) private life routes on applicants accessing (i) work, (ii) healthcare and (c) education.

Family and private life applications based on exceptionality are not subject to a service standard, however we do update GOV.UK with our average processing times and information is available in the published transparency data around consideration times.

Whether her Department plans to use data from the eVisa system to aid immigration enforcement operations.

Immigration Enforcement already uses information contained in relevant visa applications and interactions when taking enforcement action against suspected immigration offenders – this will continue to be the case with eVisas.

What contingency measures are in place for people who are unable to access their eVisa due to (a) technical issues and (b) administrative errors.

We are committed to ensuring that the transition to eVisas is as smooth as possible for all status holders. The Home Office has a significant support model in place to facilitate the transition to eVisas.Our online immigration status services are designed to be highly resilient, with rigorous testing and concurrent services to ensure that if one fails, another will take over. We consistently monitor our online services to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.We are also taking further steps to reduce the number of circumstances where people need to provide evidence of their immigration status, by developing services to make the relevant immigration status information available automatically through system to system checks with other government departments and the NHS. This means at the point at which a person seeks to access public services such as NHS healthcare and DWP benefits, the service provider will check status directly with the Home Office, removing the need for people to prove their status themselves.We have also put in place the systems and services to allow carriers, such as airlines, to automatically check immigration status via system-to-system checks and those systems are working well for millions of people. If for any reason the carrier does not receive confirmation of the passenger’s immigration status, they will be able to check this using the ‘view and prove' service, or the carrier can contact the 24/7 Carrier Support Hub for advice.If people do have any issues, they can contact the UKVI Resolution Centre, which provides support via email and webchat to those creating their UKVI account, and telephone support to those using the online immigration status services. The UKVI Resolution Centre assists users who are experiencing technical issues with their online immigration status, and where necessary, enables peoples’ status to be verified through alternative means. If someone cannot see their eVisa details after creating their UKVI account, or believes there is an error in their status information, they can report this to the Home Office via the form at Report an error with your eVisa - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), which is available 24/7. Any reported issues with eVisa are being prioritised. Once a person has submitted the report an error with your eVisa form, they will receive an email notification when the error or issue has been resolved.If a person needs to prove their right to work or rent while the issue is being resolved, employers can use the Employers Checking Service (ECS) and landlords can use the Landlord Checking Service (LCS).

What steps her Department is taking to support UK citizens with relatives impacted by the human rights situation in Balochistan.

Any application for a UK visa will be assessed against the requirements of the Immigration Rules. We advise people to consider the most appropriate visa route for their own circumstances.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of exempting migrants from the Immigration Health Surcharge after their second Leave to Remain application.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders, and we will set out our overall approach to reforming the immigration system in our upcoming white paper.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of exempting migrants in employment from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders, and we will set out our overall approach to reforming the immigration system in our upcoming white paper.

What steps she is taking to help protect the safety of home delivery drivers.

This Government is committed to tackling retail crime. Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.Our definition of a ‘retail worker’ is intentionally narrow given the vital need to provide legal clarity and ensure there is no ambiguity for courts in identifying whether an individual is a retail worker and impacted during their job.Assaults against delivery drivers are already an offence (common assault) under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and are covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those working in retail and other public-facing roles.We will use the parliamentary process to scrutinise the provisions in the Bill and will consider carefully amendments tabled as well as evidence put forward in support of such amendments.