Written questions by Farron.

Whether her Department conducted a lessons learned review of the EU settlement scheme digital status service.

The Home Office conducted an end-programme lessons learnt review on the roll out of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), of which the digital status service is part. We published two private beta reports setting out key findings of the test phases of the EUSS, including the functionality of the end-to-end online application process. These reports are available at:EU Settlement Scheme: private beta testing phase 1 report (accessible version) - GOV.UKEU Settlement Scheme private beta testing phase 2 report - GOV.UK

What tailored support she plans to provide to refugees to access (a) training and (b) employment after the closure of the Refugee Employment Programme in June 2025.

The Refugee Employability Programme (REP) was designed as a time-bound programme. It will come to a natural end in June 2025 in line with the contract delivery timelines.All refugees will continue to have access to mainstream services to support their transition into work, including employment support from DWP work coaches.Newly granted refugees are also able to access support through Migrant Help, which includes advice on how to access the labour market.

How many refugees her Department plans to resettle through the UK's resettlement schemes in 2025.

This country will always play our part, alongside others, to help those fleeing war and persecution, but we need a proper system where rules are enforced.The UK welcomes refugees through our global resettlement schemes which include the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), Community Sponsorship and the Mandate Resettlement Scheme.The numbers resettled through the UKRS depend on a range of factors including the flow of referrals from UNHCR in the field and the availability of suitable accommodation and integration support in the UK.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2024 to Question 10416 on Refugees, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing Ukrainian nationals who are temporarily living in the UK to bring over a spouse or minor children.

Since the launch of our Ukraine schemes, the UK has offered or extended sanctuary to nearly 300,000 Ukrainians. The UK’s support for Ukraine remains steadfast and, together with our partners and allies, the UK stands in solidarity with Ukraine and condemns the Russian Government’s unprovoked and premeditated war against Ukraine.The Homes for Ukraine Scheme remains open and available to new applications. These applications must be sponsored by someone who is British, Irish or settled.Our Ukraine schemes are kept under continual review as we look to provide stability for those we have welcomed to the UK and those who still need our sanctuary.

Whether she plans to expand safe routes for asylum seekers.

The UK continues to welcome refugees and people in need through our existing global resettlement schemes which include the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), Community Sponsorship and the Mandate Resettlement Scheme. Safe and legal routes will continue to play a vital role in our overall migration system. However, given the scale of today’s global displacement challenges, it is not possible to offer a pathway into the UK to every person who needs or wants one. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety.

Whether she plans to take steps to increase the number of safe routes available to people fleeing persecution.

The United Kingdom will always take seriously our responsibility alongside others to help those fleeing war and persecution, but we need a proper system where rules are enforced.Safe and legal routes will continue to play a vital role in our overall migration system.Our priority right now is the relocation of those who have been identified as eligible for resettlement under our resettlement schemes, and fixing the gaps in existing routes. That is why we have affirmed our ongoing commitment to the UK Resettlement Scheme; supported the reunification of Afghan families under the ACRS route; provided sanctuary for Ukrainians under our Ukraine schemes; and provided routes for Hong Kongers under our Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route. We will continue to keep this system under review.

How long her Department plans to fund Migrant Help to support people with the rollout of e-visas.

Legacy document holders who currently prove their rights using older forms of evidence of immigration status (such as ink stamps in passports) will still be able to prove their rights as they do today, using their legacy documents where these are permitted. However, we encourage those individuals to transition to an eVisa at www.gov.uk/eVisa, which offers a range of benefits to customers and status checkers.Holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) who have a valid immigration status and, for any reason, do not switch to an eVisa before their BRP expires, will be able to create a UKVI account quickly and easily, using their expired BRP if needed. They will also be able to use their expired BRP to generate a share code through the Right to Work and Right to Rent online services for a limited time. However, an expired BRP does not offer the full benefits of an eVisa, and we encourage them to create a UKVI account as soon as possible.Migrant Help will initially be funded to support people in their transition to an eVisa for up to 12 months. We will monitor customer demand and keep our support offer under review.We have learnt from the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and are building on the success of the scheme, particularly in relation to our support for vulnerable customers, such as providing grant funding to organisations to support vulnerable people through the transition to eVisas, and through the Assisted Digital service which provides UK-wide support to individuals who require assistance with IT-related aspects of creating a UKVI account. The UKVI Resolution Centre is also available to those creating their UKVI account, and those using the online immigration status services. We also have ‘helper’ and ‘proxy’ functionality in place for those who require assistance switching to, and navigating the online services.We are currently delivering an extensive communications campaign in support of the transition to eVisas, including through direct communications to impacted individuals, wide-ranging stakeholder engagement, development of a range of communications materials for stakeholders to share and use, and proactive media engagement. From mid-October we will be launching a paid advertising campaign in support of eVisa transition, targeting those who are using physical immigration documents, and encouraging them to take action to switch to an eVisa.We provide clear guidance and direct support for vulnerable, and less digitally confident customers to help them manage this change, with support available for them online, through the grant funded network, the Assisted Digital service and via the UKVI Resolution Centre.

Whether people will be able to continue to prove their immigration status with existing physical documents after 31 December 2024.

Legacy document holders who currently prove their rights using older forms of evidence of immigration status (such as ink stamps in passports) will still be able to prove their rights as they do today, using their legacy documents where these are permitted. However, we encourage those individuals to transition to an eVisa at www.gov.uk/eVisa, which offers a range of benefits to customers and status checkers.Holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) who have a valid immigration status and, for any reason, do not switch to an eVisa before their BRP expires, will be able to create a UKVI account quickly and easily, using their expired BRP if needed. They will also be able to use their expired BRP to generate a share code through the Right to Work and Right to Rent online services for a limited time. However, an expired BRP does not offer the full benefits of an eVisa, and we encourage them to create a UKVI account as soon as possible.Migrant Help will initially be funded to support people in their transition to an eVisa for up to 12 months. We will monitor customer demand and keep our support offer under review.We have learnt from the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and are building on the success of the scheme, particularly in relation to our support for vulnerable customers, such as providing grant funding to organisations to support vulnerable people through the transition to eVisas, and through the Assisted Digital service which provides UK-wide support to individuals who require assistance with IT-related aspects of creating a UKVI account. The UKVI Resolution Centre is also available to those creating their UKVI account, and those using the online immigration status services. We also have ‘helper’ and ‘proxy’ functionality in place for those who require assistance switching to, and navigating the online services.We are currently delivering an extensive communications campaign in support of the transition to eVisas, including through direct communications to impacted individuals, wide-ranging stakeholder engagement, development of a range of communications materials for stakeholders to share and use, and proactive media engagement. From mid-October we will be launching a paid advertising campaign in support of eVisa transition, targeting those who are using physical immigration documents, and encouraging them to take action to switch to an eVisa.We provide clear guidance and direct support for vulnerable, and less digitally confident customers to help them manage this change, with support available for them online, through the grant funded network, the Assisted Digital service and via the UKVI Resolution Centre.

Whether her Department is using lessons learned from the rollout of the EU Settlement Scheme in the rollout of eVisas.

Legacy document holders who currently prove their rights using older forms of evidence of immigration status (such as ink stamps in passports) will still be able to prove their rights as they do today, using their legacy documents where these are permitted. However, we encourage those individuals to transition to an eVisa at www.gov.uk/eVisa, which offers a range of benefits to customers and status checkers.Holders of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) who have a valid immigration status and, for any reason, do not switch to an eVisa before their BRP expires, will be able to create a UKVI account quickly and easily, using their expired BRP if needed. They will also be able to use their expired BRP to generate a share code through the Right to Work and Right to Rent online services for a limited time. However, an expired BRP does not offer the full benefits of an eVisa, and we encourage them to create a UKVI account as soon as possible.Migrant Help will initially be funded to support people in their transition to an eVisa for up to 12 months. We will monitor customer demand and keep our support offer under review.We have learnt from the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and are building on the success of the scheme, particularly in relation to our support for vulnerable customers, such as providing grant funding to organisations to support vulnerable people through the transition to eVisas, and through the Assisted Digital service which provides UK-wide support to individuals who require assistance with IT-related aspects of creating a UKVI account. The UKVI Resolution Centre is also available to those creating their UKVI account, and those using the online immigration status services. We also have ‘helper’ and ‘proxy’ functionality in place for those who require assistance switching to, and navigating the online services.We are currently delivering an extensive communications campaign in support of the transition to eVisas, including through direct communications to impacted individuals, wide-ranging stakeholder engagement, development of a range of communications materials for stakeholders to share and use, and proactive media engagement. From mid-October we will be launching a paid advertising campaign in support of eVisa transition, targeting those who are using physical immigration documents, and encouraging them to take action to switch to an eVisa.We provide clear guidance and direct support for vulnerable, and less digitally confident customers to help them manage this change, with support available for them online, through the grant funded network, the Assisted Digital service and via the UKVI Resolution Centre.