Written questions by Lowe.

How many freedom of information requests have been refused by her Department under section (a) 36 (b) 38 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on grounds relating to (i) asylum policy and (ii) stakeholder engagement since January 2023.

When engaging with the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum (NASF) and Strategic Engagement Group (SEG), minutes are taken at these meetings. There are no criteria defining ‘constructive dialogue’ with NGOs.A list of non-governmental organisations who attended NASF and SEG since January 2023 is provided below:Micro RainbowThe No Accommodation Network (NACCOM)British Red CrossRefugee ActionAsylum MattersScottish Refugee CouncilRefugee CouncilAsylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP)Freedom from TortureRainbow MigrationHelen Bamber FoundationMigrant HelpImmigration Law Practitioners Network (ILPA)United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)No formal risk assessment has been undertaken. The disclosure of meeting records is handled in the usual way taking into account the wider Home Office risk assessment framework, disclosure and data protection provisions, and, where applicable, Freedom of Information guidance.The Home Office publishes Freedom of Information (FOI) performance data, including the number of times exemptions under sections 36 and 38 of the FOI Act have been applied. This information is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statisticsEstablishing whether these exemptions were applied for reasons relating to asylum policy or stakeholder engagement could only be obtained for the purposes of this question at disproportionate cost.

Whether her Department keeps formal (a) minutes and (b) other records of meetings of the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum and Strategic Engagement Group.

When engaging with the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum (NASF) and Strategic Engagement Group (SEG), minutes are taken at these meetings. There are no criteria defining ‘constructive dialogue’ with NGOs.A list of non-governmental organisations who attended NASF and SEG since January 2023 is provided below:Micro RainbowThe No Accommodation Network (NACCOM)British Red CrossRefugee ActionAsylum MattersScottish Refugee CouncilRefugee CouncilAsylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP)Freedom from TortureRainbow MigrationHelen Bamber FoundationMigrant HelpImmigration Law Practitioners Network (ILPA)United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)No formal risk assessment has been undertaken. The disclosure of meeting records is handled in the usual way taking into account the wider Home Office risk assessment framework, disclosure and data protection provisions, and, where applicable, Freedom of Information guidance.The Home Office publishes Freedom of Information (FOI) performance data, including the number of times exemptions under sections 36 and 38 of the FOI Act have been applied. This information is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statisticsEstablishing whether these exemptions were applied for reasons relating to asylum policy or stakeholder engagement could only be obtained for the purposes of this question at disproportionate cost.

How many refugees there are by nationality.

The information you have requested is published in the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK. Data on asylum seekers who have been granted refugee permission at initial decision is published in table Asy_D02 of the asylum detailed datasets. Data on resettled refugees is published in table Res_D02 of the resettlement detailed datasets. The latest data is available up to the end of June 2025 and includes breakdowns by nationality. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook.

What information her Department holds on the employment rate of refugees in each of the last ten years.

The Home Office recently published “Refugee Integration Outcomes (RIO) Insights: Embarks, Economic Activity, and Housing between 2015 and 2021” on GOV.UK. This article presents analysis—including employment rate—from linked Census 2021 and administrative data for asylum and resettled refugees in England and Wales who were granted refugee status between 2015 and 2021.

If she will publish a list of non-governmental organisations who attended meetings of the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum and Strategic Employment Group since January 2023.

When engaging with the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum (NASF) and Strategic Engagement Group (SEG), minutes are taken at these meetings. There are no criteria defining ‘constructive dialogue’ with NGOs.A list of non-governmental organisations who attended NASF and SEG since January 2023 is provided below:Micro RainbowThe No Accommodation Network (NACCOM)British Red CrossRefugee ActionAsylum MattersScottish Refugee CouncilRefugee CouncilAsylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP)Freedom from TortureRainbow MigrationHelen Bamber FoundationMigrant HelpImmigration Law Practitioners Network (ILPA)United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)No formal risk assessment has been undertaken. The disclosure of meeting records is handled in the usual way taking into account the wider Home Office risk assessment framework, disclosure and data protection provisions, and, where applicable, Freedom of Information guidance.The Home Office publishes Freedom of Information (FOI) performance data, including the number of times exemptions under sections 36 and 38 of the FOI Act have been applied. This information is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statisticsEstablishing whether these exemptions were applied for reasons relating to asylum policy or stakeholder engagement could only be obtained for the purposes of this question at disproportionate cost.

Whether her Department has undertaken any formal risk assessments which have concluded that the disclosure of meeting records with NGOs on asylum accommodation policy would endanger the safety of (a) NGO staff and (b) Government officials.

When engaging with the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum (NASF) and Strategic Engagement Group (SEG), minutes are taken at these meetings. There are no criteria defining ‘constructive dialogue’ with NGOs.A list of non-governmental organisations who attended NASF and SEG since January 2023 is provided below:Micro RainbowThe No Accommodation Network (NACCOM)British Red CrossRefugee ActionAsylum MattersScottish Refugee CouncilRefugee CouncilAsylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP)Freedom from TortureRainbow MigrationHelen Bamber FoundationMigrant HelpImmigration Law Practitioners Network (ILPA)United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)No formal risk assessment has been undertaken. The disclosure of meeting records is handled in the usual way taking into account the wider Home Office risk assessment framework, disclosure and data protection provisions, and, where applicable, Freedom of Information guidance.The Home Office publishes Freedom of Information (FOI) performance data, including the number of times exemptions under sections 36 and 38 of the FOI Act have been applied. This information is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statisticsEstablishing whether these exemptions were applied for reasons relating to asylum policy or stakeholder engagement could only be obtained for the purposes of this question at disproportionate cost.

What information her Department holds on the initial grant rate of asylum applications by the (a) ethnicity (b) nationality of the decision makers.

The Home Office collates and publishes diversity data on staff, this can be accessed via Home Office workforce diversity statistics - GOV.UK.However, the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

How many hotels are being used as contingency accommodation for irregular migrants as at 20 October 2025.

The Home Office has been clear that the use of hotels is a temporary and short-term measure to ensure we meet our statutory obligation to accommodate destitute asylum seekers, while we tackle the systemic challenges due to the previous government’s decisions.Accommodation data is published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels which can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)

Whether her Department has had (a) discussions and (b) correspondence with Oldham Council on the proposed grooming gang inquiry since January 2024; and whether her Department has issued any guidance to local authorities concerning the structure or format of such projects.

In June this year, Baroness Casey published her independent audit into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, and the Government accepted every recommendation it made, including establishing a new national inquiry. The national inquiry, equipped with statutory powers under the Inquiries Act 2005, will direct targeted local reviews in specific areas.The former Home Secretary previously committed in January to provide guidance and establish a £5 million fund which would have supported non-statutory local inquiries. Our new approach of establishing a national statutory inquiry, will be strengthened through its statutory powers – therefore, we have discontinued work related to the previously announced guidance and £5 million fund.In relation to Oldham specifically, the former Home Secretary made a commitment to support Oldham Council in undertaking their own local inquiry. The Department has been in discussions with Oldham Council about the right approach for Oldham, in light of the Government’s commitment to a new national inquiry. We also intend to consult the prospective chair of the national inquiry once appointed. We therefore intend to confirm the proposed approach for Oldham alongside further details about the national inquiry in due course.

What guidance her Department has issued to police forces on maintaining political neutrality whilst on duty.

All police officers are required by law to act with impartiality in discharging their duties, under the Police Regulations 2003. This is underlined in the oath of attestation that all police officers personally take on appointment and the Policing Protocol is clear that each Chief Constable is accountable for leading their force in a way that is consistent with that duty of impartiality.The College of Policing sets standards and provides guidance for policing, including an updated Code of Ethics published in 2024 and a complementary statutory Code of Practice for Ethical Policing.

What information her Department holds on the (a) age, (b) religion, (c) ethnicity and (d) country of birth of people (i) referred to the Prevent programme and (ii) convicted of terrorism-related offences in the UK in each of the last five years.

Prevent aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It works to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions and support, and that communities areWe have provided data for the financial years 2019/20 to 2023/24. Data for the latest financial year 2024/25 will be released 6th November 2025 at Gov.uk.Information on individuals convicted of terrorism-related offences in the UK is published quarterly by the Home Office in the statistical release titled Operation of Police Powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 and subsequent legislation. This includes detailed data tables for Great Britain, covering a range of individual and offence-related characteristics, such as:Age (Table A.10)Data on religion is not available for all convicted individuals. However, religious affiliation is reported for those held in custody for terrorism-related offences in England and Wales and Scotland at the time of publication. (Table P.04)Ethnicity (Table A.11)Data on country of birth is not held by the Home Office. However, information on nationality is available. (Table A.12c)Annual and quarterly breakdowns for the last five years and prior and are accessible via Operation of police powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 statistics - GOV.UK.

Whether her Department has provided any (a) grants, (b) contracts and (c) other funding to (i) Stand Up to Racism, (ii) Unite the Union,(ii) Migrants Organise, (iv) the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, (v) the Refugee Council and (vi) Care4Calais since 2020; and how much funding was provided to each for what purposes.

Home Office made grant payments to the Refugee Council totalling £ 3.2m for the purpose of Children’s Advisory Projects to support Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) through the asylum process., with a further £ 215,244 for Asylum Seeker Mental Health and Wellbeing Grant to provide assistance to vulnerable adult asylum seekers.The figures represent budgeted values which may not have been spent in full.Since 2020 the Home Office has provided contract and other funding payments to the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants totalling £47,015.Further, the Home Office provided contract and other funding to the Refugee Council totalling £8,026,673 for the same time period.Information on purpose has been withheld and related contracts as it would only be available at disproportionate cost.Outside of Home Office funding, for the period FY 21/22 to FY 24/25 inclusive Home Office facilitated £5.37m of EU financed AMIF Integration Funding to the Refugee Council.

How much her Department has paid to Serco in each of the last ten years.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer provided in PQ 15558.

How many irregular migrants are housed in the Great Yarmouth Borough Council area; what accommodation is used to house those migrants; and what the cost is of housing those migrants.

Data on the number of supported asylum seekers in different areas is routinely published by the Government in table ASY D_11 here:Asylum and resettlement datasets - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)The Home Office does not publish asylum support data disaggregated by method of arrival.Costs are subject to change depending on numbers being accommodated within the asylum system. Accommodation costs are considered to be commercially confidential. Therefore, the Home Office does not publish this information. However, total expenditure on asylum is published in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts, available at HO annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Whether her Department will extend English language testing requirements to foreign nationals working in (a) private security or (b) enforcement roles contracted by the Department.

The Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) 2001 created the Security Industry Authority (SIA) as the regulator of the private security industry.The SIA sets minimum training standards and issues licenses to applicants who have acquired the correct licence-linked qualifications. Before a learner can take a licence-linked qualification, they must prove they have English language skills to B2 standard on the Home Office list of recommended qualifications. This standard means that the learner has a degree of fluency in English. The SIA reviews training standards every five years to ensure that individuals seeking to work in regulated roles meet refreshed minimum standards, and that skills keep pace with emerging threats to public safety.Where overseas nationals fill enforcement roles contracted by the Home Office, they require an immigration permission to do so, and they may be subject to English language requirements mandated by the Immigration Rules. For the Skilled Worker immigration route, the required level of English is being increased from B1 to B2 level (effective from 8 January 2026).

If she will make English language proficiency a mandatory condition for (a) police recruits, (b) community support officers and (c) detention custody staff.

This Government is committed to ensuring consistent, high standards for entry into the police, including for police staff. As set out in Regulations, police officers must demonstrate competence in written and spoken English.We are working closely with the College of Policing to ensure that forces continue to make improvements to all entry routes. As part of this work, the College of Policing is currently consulting police leaders to assess and determine the appropriate English language standard required for all policing roles.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that immigration (a) caseworkers and (b) interpreters meet English language standards.

The Home Office recruit using standard Civil Service recruitment processes and all our immigration caseworkers must meet minimum Civil Service recruitment standards. The appropriate level of English is assured through the comprehensive recruitment and onboarding process. Interpreters are not Home Office employees and undertake freelance work commissioned by the Home Office through contracts for services. Standards required to apply for an interpreter role are set out in our published ‘Guidance for UKVI freelance interpreters’. This includes a list of accredited qualifications. Quality is maintained through our comprehensive review strategy. Interviewing officers are issued with Interpreter Management Team monitoring forms, which they are asked to complete if they have any comments on the interpreter used in an assignment (because the interpreter performed particularly well or badly, for example). Interviews may also be monitored for training and security purposes. Applications for immigration caseworker roles and interpreter roles include a written application and, if appropriate, an interview. The written application and interview are conducted and assessed in English.

What information her Department holds on the (a) financial arrangements, (b) lease durations and (c) landlord incentives offered by (i) Serco and (ii) other contractors under the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contracts since 2020; and whether her Department has undertaken any risk assessments of the use of private rented accommodation for asylum seekers.

Since 2022, the Home Office has implemented a Full Dispersal model, which aims to distribute asylum accommodation more fairly and equitably across the UK. The Home Office, via our accommodation providers, has worked within the Private Rented Sector for many years to source accommodation that offers better value for money for the taxpayer. Accommodation providers are responsible for sourcing and securing suitable properties, as well as consulting with local authorities on every dispersed bedspace before it is procured to ensure the impacts on local areas are considered. The details of the contracts are commercially sensitive.

If she will hold discussions with her French counterpart on (a) distributing leaflets and (b) creating information campaigns for potential irregular migrants to the UK on the consequences of illegal migration to the UK.

The Home Secretary regularly meets with her French counterparts to discuss our joint efforts to prevent dangerous small boat crossings. She remains committed to our joint mission and will continue this close working with the new Minister of Interior, Laurent Nuñez, who was appointed on 12 October.The UK and French Governments have been running joint information campaigns in France since August about the consequences of illegal migration to the UK, including distributing leaflets to potential irregular migrants.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using data-sharing agreements between (a) the NHS, (b) HMRC and (c) Immigration Enforcement to help identify people living in the UK illegally.

Data sharing agreements are already in place between Immigration Enforcement and HMRC to increase immigration compliance, including the identification of illegal working. Migrants in the UK without lawful immigration status, are subject to NHS charges for secondary healthcare, with data sharing agreements in place to support the NHS in tackling NHS debtors.All data sharing arrangements are subject to ongoing review.