Written questions by Arthur.

What steps she is taking to reduce data gaps and time-lags in information sharing between universities and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI); and what assessment she has made of the impact of those delays on the ability of higher education institutions to monitor compliance and intervene in a timely manner ahead of the implementation of Business Case Analysis (BCA) changes.

The Home Office works closely with higher education institutions to support compliance with the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA), which is an annual assessment of sponsor performance. Sponsors have been responsible for monitoring their own in-year performance against the BCA metrics since its introduction in April 2015, when it replaced the “Highly Trusted Sponsor” status.Two of the three metrics that form the BCA are based on data sponsors report directly to the Home Office and can therefore use to monitor compliance and identify where recruitment practices may need to improve. The Home Office continues to explore opportunities to enhance GDPR-compliant data-sharing with sponsors, and in 2025 introduced new mechanisms relating to refusal data.The Home Office continues to explore further opportunities to strengthen data sharing in line with data protection principles and support sponsor compliance.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Temporary Work - Charity Worker visa route in supporting the UK’s voluntary sector.

The Government recognises that the Charity Worker route supports the UK’s voluntary sector by enabling individuals to come to the UK to do voluntary, unpaid work for up to a maximum of 12 months. The work must not be filling a permanent position, including on a temporary basis. No formal assessment of the route has been undertaken.Charities can use other immigration routes if they wish to employ someone in a paid role or permanent position.Furthermore, a Visitor may undertake volunteering, provided it lasts no more than 30 days in total and is for a charity that is registered with either the Charity Commission for England and Wales; the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland; or the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

What steps she is taking to help ensure people in England and Wales cannot use home delivery services to order alcohol while intoxicated.

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. It is already an offence under the Act to sell alcohol to someone who is intoxicated. We are looking at how current licensing rules apply to home alcohol delivery services and speaking to experts and stakeholders to ensure these are effective.

With reference to the February 2026 announcement of £73.4 million in protective security funding for faith communities, (a) what was the evidential basis for the levels of funding allocated to different protective security schemes in the period referenced and (b) what steps she is taking to ensure support given to Hindu Mandirs in (i) Scotland and (ii) the wider UK reflects the actual costs of security provision and personnel.

Funding allocations are determined by an assessment of the threats and risks faced by communities. The recent allocation of £40 million for Muslim sites and £28.4 million for Jewish sites reflects the clear and sustained threat and vulnerability picture established through police reporting and assessments.This includes the latest data of police recorded hate crime which shows that religious hate crime continues to increase, with the majority (73%) of religious hate crime targeted at Jewish and Muslim communities in the most recent reporting year.Places of worship from all other faiths can apply to the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. The recently announced additional funding for 2026/27 for this scheme – which will bring total funding for the scheme to £5 million in 206/27 – represents record levels of support to Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other faith communities in England and Wales. Where measures are provided through the scheme, sites are assessed to identify proportionate security improvements, and the Home Office keeps unit cost assumptions and delivery arrangements under review to ensure they adequately reflect current market conditions.We continue to support the police and operational partners in assessing threats and strengthening protections for faith communities against hate crime. As policing and justice matters are devolved, the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme is not available in Scotland. However, we continue to engage with partners across the UK to support faith communities to access appropriate advice and support.

With reference to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, what estimate her Department has made of the scale of a Named Community Sponsorship scheme.

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.Further details, including the number of beneficiaries, will be set out in due course.

Pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, by what date her department plans to have operationalised a Named Community Sponsorship scheme for refugee resettlement.

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.Further details, including timeframes for the launch of the route, will be set out in due course.

Pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, what is her proposed timeline for establishing a Named Community Sponsorship scheme.

In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced persons.Work is underway to deliver the named community sponsorship route.Further details, including timeframes for the launch of the route, will be set out in due course.

What timelines her Department has set for Indefinite Leave to Remain decisions for people who have submitted all relevant documentation.

Straightforward applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain are decided within 6 months, if a case is complex and cannot be decided within six months we will contact the customer directly.

How many Indefinite Leave to Remain decisions were (a) processed and (b) granted in each month of 2025.

The Home Office publishes statistics relating to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the Immigration system statistics publication. Data on grants and refusals of settlement in each quarter, including those holding refugee status category of leave can be found in table Se_D02 of the Settlement data tables.The latest data relates to year ending December 2025. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.

How many Indefinite Leave to Remain decisions were (a) processed and (b) granted for people with refugee status in each month of 2025.

The Home Office publishes statistics relating to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the Immigration system statistics publication. Data on grants and refusals of settlement in each quarter, including those holding refugee status category of leave can be found in table Se_D02 of the Settlement data tables.The latest data relates to year ending December 2025. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.

What changes have been made to the consideration of Indefinite Leave to Remain applications for people of Syrian origin who have refugee status.

Settlement is a privilege, not an automatic right, and provides permission to stay in the UK permanently and freedom from immigration control for those who still require protection. However, as the need for protection may be temporary, a safe return review is carried out on every application for settlement on a protection route, including Syrian nationals, to determine and confirm the need is continuing. If there are, for example, significant improvements in country conditions or changes in personal circumstances that mean someone no longer needs protection, they may be expected to return to their country of origin or to apply to stay in the UK under other provisions of the Immigration Rules. Those who are still at risk of serious harm in their country are not expected to return there. Where appropriate they will be granted limited leave if they do not qualify for settlement. Where an applicant arrived in the UK via the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) after being referred as a convention refugee by the UNHCR and granted refugee or humanitarian protection leave to remain, the SSHD will proceed to considering a grant of indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The applicant will be required to meet the relevant validity (i.e. apply on the relevant form and establish their identity) and suitability requirements (i.e. consideration of any criminal convictions) of the settlement protection policy.For more information on the settlement protection policy, please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/settlement-protection-asylum-policy-instruction.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the delay in Indefinite Leave to Remain decisions for people who have submitted all relevant documentation requested and have been waiting over six months for a decision.

Straightforward applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain are decided within 6 months, if a case is complex and cannot be decided within six months we will contact the customer directly.

What steps she is taking to ensure that newly recognised refugees who are survivors of trafficking, domestic abuse or torture are not left destitute or homeless when asylum support ends.

The Home Office is committed to supporting individuals granted leave to remain to successfully transition from asylum accommodation to mitigate the risk of homelessness.The government is aware of the need for a smooth transition between asylum accommodation and other accommodation for those asylum seekers who are granted leave to remain. The Home Office is working to identify and implement efficiencies to support this process and mitigate the risk of homelessness.Additionally, the Home Office has also placed Asylum Move On Liaison Officers (AMLOs) in over 50 Local Authorities across the UK, working alongside the Migrant Help and NGOs to support individuals who will be leaving asylum accommodation, and ensure a successful transition.

What steps she is taking to increase collaboration between her Department and Drinkaware.

The Government regularly engages with partners on matters relating to the Licensing Act 2003 and the sale and supply of alcohol, including with Drinkaware.We will continue to do so as we take forward reforms to the licensing regime.

With reference to her oral statement of 20 November 2025 on Migration: Settlement Pathway, what criteria she is considering to define high earners and entrepreneurs.

We are currently holding a public consultation on the new earned settlement model. This is due to conclude on 12th February 2026. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, published on 17 November 2025, whether processes will be put in place for asylum seekers whose home countries have been deemed safe but that are not personally safe for them to return.

Core Protection will allow those who are at risk to remain in the UK as long it is necessary, whilst it is unsafe for them to return. Each case will be considered on its own individual merits. Further details about financial contributions, English language provision and the new work or study path are subject to further policy development which will be set out in due course.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, published on 17 November 2025, what English as a Second Language provision the Government plans to put in place to encourage asylum seekers to enter new legal work and study routes.

Core Protection will allow those who are at risk to remain in the UK as long it is necessary, whilst it is unsafe for them to return. Each case will be considered on its own individual merits. Further details about financial contributions, English language provision and the new work or study path are subject to further policy development which will be set out in due course.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, published on 17 November 2025, what value of personal assets would require asylum seekers to contribute to their accommodation and living expenses.

Core Protection will allow those who are at risk to remain in the UK as long it is necessary, whilst it is unsafe for them to return. Each case will be considered on its own individual merits. Further details about financial contributions, English language provision and the new work or study path are subject to further policy development which will be set out in due course.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, published on 17 November 2025, whether caps will be placed on the number of asylum seekers accessing the new legal work or study paths.

Core Protection will allow those who are at risk to remain in the UK as long it is necessary, whilst it is unsafe for them to return. Each case will be considered on its own individual merits. Further details about financial contributions, English language provision and the new work or study path are subject to further policy development which will be set out in due course.

Whether her plan to offer permanent settlement to refugees only after 20 years residence in the UK will apply to people currently (a) in the asylum system and (b) holding refugee status.

We will carefully manage the transition into the new system - avoiding any risk of a 'closing down sale'. That is why we will seek to put in place transitional provisions to ensure that the offer remains clear and fair. Refugees who are given core protection will be able to switch into a new, bespoke work and study route to access family reunion and settlement rights with new fees and conditions in accordance with the rules of that route. This will enable them to earn down their length of time before they can settle in the UK from 20 years. Settlement requirements will be considered in an upcoming consultation on earned settlement, covering both legal and illegal migrants.