Written questions by Bedford.

If she will consider the potential merits of collating and publishing the 2025 asylum claim acceptance rate for cases decided by immigration caseworkers that are foreign nationals.

Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data. These reviews allow us to balance the production of our regular statistics whilst developing new statistics for future release.

Whether her Department holds an internal estimate of the number of illegal migrant absconders in the UK.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics.Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data.Whilst local management information is held on absconder numbers and updated in line with operational need, this is used only for local management purposes. This data has not been verified or checked for accuracy to a standard that would make it suitable for publication, or to be provided to Members of Parliament.

How many civil servants in their Department were found to have broken the Civil Service Code in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025.

Civil Servants are appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition and are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. As breaches of the Civil Service Code are not recorded separately these may be considered disciplinary matters. Therefore, please see table below for the number of formal cases taken against Home Office staff in 2024 and 2025. Staff with Formal Discipline CasesHC20242552025341

How many departmental employees were on performance management plans in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

The Home Office is committed to thorough performance management and has in place robust processes to ensure that those who fall below the expected standards are supported to improve in a timely manner.This can be either through an informal performance management process called Focused Support or through the formal Managing Poor Performance Policy. For most colleagues, Focused Support will help to improve performance. If an employee does not improve sufficiently, Managing Poor Performance policy will be used. Those who cannot improve their performance, despite this additional support, may be dismissed.The table below provides the number of staff members who had plans in place to support them to improve their performance, either informally or through our formal managing poor performance process, or both. 2023Informal Focused Support1366Managing Poor Performance Casework234Total34002024Informal Focused Support1457Managing Poor Performance Casework274Total35312025Informal Focused Support1703Managing Poor Performance Casework2117Total3820 1 Distinct Count of "First Conversation" Focused Support Documents uploaded to Metis with the status of "Completed " or "In Progress".Focused Support is an informal process and is applied for a dip in performance which can include, but not limited to, the following reasons:1) lack of training2) lack of will or motivation3) skills or knowledge gaps4) misunderstandings about expectations5) management style or relationship with the job holder6) workplace relationships7) environmental factors8) health, personal life or other issues outside of work2 Data is based on the count of Managing Poor Performance cases of Paid and Unpaid Civil Servants formally opened with SSCL in the Reporting Period.3 Individuals may appear in both the Informal Focused Support and Managing Poor Performance counts, as these represent the informal and formal stages of the Performance Management process, respectively.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The Home Office does not publish details of the value of non-contractual severance payments separately.However, the Home Office does publish overall special payments spending on a financial year basis and details of this can be found through the links below.Pages 190-191 (pages 198-199 on the reader)Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 2025Pages 190-191 (pages 194-195 on the reader)Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2023 to 2024Pages195-196Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2022-2023Page 136Home_Office_ARA_21-22_Final_-_Gov.uk.pdf

What estimate her Department has made of the number of small boat migrants that will enter the UK in 2026.

The Home Office does not make a single estimate of this kind. A range of scenarios are considered for operational planning purposes.

If she will provide the latest data her department possesses on the asylum claim acceptance rate for cases that were decided by Home Office immigration caseworkers that are British nationals.

The information requested could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

If she will provide the latest data her department possesses on the asylum claim acceptance rate for cases that were decided by Home Office immigration caseworkers that are foreign nationals.

The information requested could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of immigration since July 2024 on social cohesion in the UK.

The Home Office will increase existing English language requirements for economic migrants and introduce new English language requirements for dependants of those coming under economic routes.These measures support the integration of those coming here to work here (and their families) into UK communities, as well; as ensuring that those coming to work here are less vulnerable to abuse and exploitation in the workplace.

If she will make an assessment of the suitability of foreign nationals being employed as immigration caseworkers in her department.

The Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNR), available on Gov.uk, govern eligibility for employment in the Civil Service on the grounds of nationality and must be followed by government departments. The CSNR allow for certain posts to be reserved for UK nationals only, which is considered where it is deemed necessary and in accordance with the published criteria. These rules have been in place since 2014.

If she will make an estimate of the number of small boat migrants that have re-entered the UK in 2026 that have previously been removed from the country.

The Home Office will publish statistics on returns from the UK up to March 2026 on 21 May 2026. Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the code of practice for statistics, taking into account several factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data.

Whether her Department has made an internal (a) estimate and (b) similar type of projection for the net fiscal impact of immigrants in the UK over their lifetimes since July 2024.

The Migration Advisory Committee has produced an assessment of the lifetime fiscal impact of migrants in the UK, available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6938108633c7ace9c4a41e42/ The_Fiscal_Impact_of_Immigration_Final__1_.pdfFurther analysis of those on a Family visa is included in the 2025 Annual Report: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migration-advisory-committee-annual-report-2025/migration-advisory-committee-mac-annual-report-2025-accessible#chapter-1-fiscal-analysis-of-the-family-visa

What change there has been in the number of hotels used to accommodate asylum seekers since 4 July 2024 for which the latest data is available.

Exiting all asylum hotels as soon as possible is one of the Government’s top priorities and must be executed through a controlled, managed and orderly plan of work. This plan involves reducing inflow, speeding up caseworking, maximising utilisation of our estate, continuing to increase returns and exploring the use of large sites as suitable alternative accommodation.From a high of over 400 asylum hotels in summer 2023 at a cost of nearly £9 million a day. As of 4 January 2026, there are 197 hotels in use. We will close every asylum hotel as soon as possible and before the end of this Parliament.

Whether her Department considers a person's potential impact on social cohesion and their likelihood of integration when assessing their asylum claim or visa application.

Every asylum claim is considered on its individual merits by assessing all the evidence provided by the claimant in light of published country information guidance.Refugee status is granted when someone has a well-founded fear of persecution under the Refugee Convention for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. They must show that they cannot seek protection from the authorities in their country and cannot reasonably move to another part of their country to avoid persecution. However, we can deny protection to those who commit serious crimes or represent a threat to national security. Article 1F of the Refugee Convention allows signatory states to exclude those who would otherwise be refugees where there are serious reasons for considering they are guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, serious non-political crimes or acts contrary to the purpose and principles of the United Nations.This Government has published an asylum policy statement, setting out a fair and firm approach to restoring order to the system, which is essential for building community cohesion. By increasing public confidence in the integrity of the asylum system, the reforms will help build trust and reduce tensions within communities. At the same time, they support successful integration for those granted protection, enabling them to contribute positively to society. Integration brings significant benefits for individuals, taxpayers, and communities. These measures will encourage and enable people granted protection to become self-sufficient, law-abiding members of UK society.For visa applications, decisions are made against the specific suitability and eligibility requirements set out in the Immigration Rules for the relevant route.In all cases, decisions are made on the basis of the law and published policy, ensuring that applications are considered fairly, consistently, and without discrimination.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of lowering the age for alcohol purchasing to 16.

The Government has no plans to lower the legal age for purchasing alcohol from 18 in England and Wales.This is consistent with the Licensing Act 2003 objective of protecting children from harm.It remains an offence to sell alcohol to under-18s and licensed premises must operate robust age-verification policies, as set out in the mandatory licensing conditions and statutory guidance.

What information her Department holds on whether anyone that has been removed from the UK in 2026 has subsequently re-entered the country via small boat.

This specific information is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant date could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.Statistics on daily small boat arrivals to the UK are published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/migrants-detected-crossing-the-english-channel-in-small-boats and information and statistics on returns can be read at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-december-2025/how-many-people-are-returned-from-the-uk.These show a 21% increase in enforced returns and a 23% increase in asylum‑related returns in 2025 compared with the previous year. Individuals who subsequently attempt to re-enter the UK illegally will be subject to enforcement action in line with existing immigration laws and their case will be considered for expediated return.

What steps she is taking to ensure that organisations that hold licenses to use animals in science provide those animals with access to food and water; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the sanction given to people who fail to provide access to food and water.

All licensed establishments must fully uphold the required standards for animal welfare as set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) and the Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes. This includes clear duties on ensuring animals have access to food and water.The Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) audits establishments to assure compliance with these requirements and takes any potential non-compliance very seriously.Where incidents relating to access to food or water have occurred, ASRU has investigated them in line with its published Compliance Policy Framework, which sets out how potential non-compliance is identified, investigated, and addressed (www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-testing-and-research-compliance-with-aspa).All cases are thoroughly investigated and ASRU applies the most suitable remedy based on the severity of the incident. A broad range of sanctions are available, and outcomes are published in ASRU’s Annual Report to support learning and ensure transparency. Through consistent delivery of the compliance policy the Regulator aims to drive up standards of welfare.

Whether her department holds an estimate of the number of criminals in the UK that arrived in the country by irregular means.

The information you have requested regarding the number of foreign criminals in the UK who arrived by irregular means is not available from published statistics.However, foreign nationals who commit crime should be in no doubt that the law will be enforced and, where appropriate, we will pursue their deportation.The latest published information shows that in the year-ending October 2025, 5,430 foreign national offenders (FNOs) were returned, which is an increase of 12% compared to the number of FNO returns in the same period 12 months prior.

How many migrants that possess a criminal record (a) in the UK and (b) abroad were previously thought by her Department to not hold a criminal record since July 2024.

The information requested is not readily available, requiring manual scrutiny of systems and matching of individual records, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of publishing asylum expenditure data by constituency.

The department publishes asylum expenditure data at national or regional level, which is more robust and meaningful for policy and operational purposes.All available information on asylum expenditure is published in the Home Office Annual Report and accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab). Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, and by local authority can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).