Written questions by Mullan.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of a long term, dedicated visa route for overseas shearers to ensure timely shearing and protect livestock welfare.

The Government recognises the importance of safe and timely shearing to protect animal welfare. The sheep shearing concession has been operating for 15 years and it is reasonable to expect that over this period a long-term sustainable solution had been found to identify this workforce gap. Therefore, having considered the potential merits, and in line with the plans set out in the White Paper “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” published in May 2025, the Government does not consider a long-term route is required.The Government expects the sector to meet these needs through the domestic workforce and individuals with existing general work rights, including dependants or Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders, who are free to take up work as a sheep shearer subject to the relevant visa restrictions.

What estimate her Department has made of the average cost of accommodating an asylum seeker at (a) Crowborough Training Camp and (b) other hotels.

Military sites are being considered for asylum accommodation, with the aim of reducing the impact on communities and delivering better outcomes for taxpayers.We are confident that the level of due diligence carried out on sites has improved, and that value for money assessments take place at the appropriate stage.Costs will be included in the Departments Annual Report and Accounts in the normal way.

Whether asylum seekers accommodated at Crowborough Training Camp are free to leave the site; and whether restrictions are placed on their movement into Crowborough and surrounding areas.

In accordance with current legislation, people with a valid pending claim for asylum are permitted to remain in the UK while their claim is being processed, and as they have permission to remain in the UK during that time, they cannot be routinely detained. Detention is primarily used to facilitate removal of those who have no lawful right to remain in the UK, and who refuse to leave voluntarily.Asylum seekers at the site are not detained, however the site is self-contained as essential services are provided on site to reduce the impact on local services through reducing the need for asylum seekers to leave the site.

When the next intake of asylum seekers are expected to arrive at the Crowborough Training Camp.

The Home Office does not give a live commentary on the number of asylum seekers accommodated at accommodation sites. Site occupancy will be increased via a phased and incremental approach to full occupancy.

How many asylum seekers are accommodated at Crowborough Training Camp.

The Home Office does not give a live commentary on the number of asylum seekers accommodated at accommodation sites.

How many asylum seekers have left the site and not returned whilst accommodated at the Crowborough Training Camp.

Asylum seekers at the site are not detained, however the site is self-contained as essential services are provided on site to reduce the impact on local services through reducing the need for asylum seekers to leave the site.The Home Office does not give a live commentary on the number of asylum seekers accommodated at accommodation sites.

Whether her Department holds information on the planning contravention notice issued by Wealden District Council on the proposed accommodation of asylum seekers at the Crowborough Training Camp.

Yes, Wealden District Council issued a Planning Contravention Notice on 21 November, requesting further information on how the site is currently being used. We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with planning regulations.

Whether the Crown Casework Team has deemed the application on the Crowborough Training Camp and Asylum Seeker accommodation complete.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

What information she holds on what (a) biodiversity net gain and (b) environmental impact assessment has been (i) sought and (ii) received by Wealden District Council in the context of the proposed accommodation for asylum seekers at Crowborough Training Camp.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether Wealden District Council has made representations to her Department on the applicability of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2017 to the Crowborough Training Camp proposal for Asylum Seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether Wealden District Council has been consulted on the potential use of the expedited procedure for the Crowborough Training Camp for Asylum Seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether Wealden District Council has been consulted under section 293C of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in relation to a section 293B application for the use of Crowborough Training Camp for asylum seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether Wealden District Council has received notice that the Crown intends to invoke the expedited procedure for nationally important development in relation to the Crowborough Training Camp and Asylum Seeker Accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

On what dates her Department met with Wealden District Council to discuss the Crowborough Training Camp and asylum seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether Natural England, the Environment Agency and other statutory consultees have been consulted in relation to the proposed development at the Crowborough Training Camp for Asylum Seeker accommodation.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

What information she holds on the (a) documents, (b) information, and (c) evidence Wealden District Council has provided to the Planning Inspectorate in relation to local (i) planning and (ii) environmental considerations for the proposed asylum seeker accommodation at Crowborough Training Camp.

Discussions are underway to use the Crowborough site for asylum accommodation. Consideration of this site is ongoing and any final decision to utilise any site for the intended purposes will be made once the relevant factors have been properly considered.As potential sites are identified and progressed for alternative asylum accommodation, a Stage Gate process, which builds on the lessons learned from the delivery of previous sites, is followed to ensure that any decisions made are informed by a comprehensive range of information. This includes, but isn’t limited to, site surveys and environmental audits.The Home Office continues to engage regularly with representatives from the local authority, the NHS, the Police, and local partners, including via Multi Agency Forums pre-delivery and post-Go Live of the proposed site to address the concerns of those most impacted and to identify ways to keep them informed.We will ensure that any development is safe, appropriate and compliant with the relevant planning regulations and processes where required.

Whether (a) Wealden District Council and (b) Wealden District Council's (i) leadership and (ii) councillors have made legal challenges to (i) prevent or (ii) delay the use of Crowborough Training Camp as accommodation for asylum seekers.

All sites progressed for asylum accommodation, including Crowborough Training Camp currently under consideration, will comply with safety, security, health and wellbeing standards. This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities across the country.

Whether the police national computer retains nominal records for non-resident people.

Non-resident individuals may have nominal records created on the Police National Computer where information suggests that they may pose a risk to UK residents.Changes to the residency status of a person are not routinely considered as a factor in the ongoing retention of their nominal record.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 19427 on the Police National Computer, what proportion of PNC records relate to dead people.

The data could only be obtained for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Whether the Police National Computer retains nominal records for deceased people.

The Police National Computer (PNC) provides police and law enforcement agencies with access to centralised information about individuals, property and vehicles.A Nominal record is retained until at least 100 years after a Nominal’s birth, regardless of the date of death. This is to facilitate criminal investigations that might start or conclude after the death of a Nominal.The data retention practices on the PNC are governed by:1. The Police Information and Records Management Code of Practice2. The Code of Practice for the Police National Computer (PNC) and the Law Enforcement Data Service (LEDS)