Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What progress she has made on preparing an outline business case for the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme.

Under the Asylum Support and Accommodation Programme (ASAP) now known as Future Asylum Contract Transformation (FACT) Project, a Delivery Model Assessment was undertaken looking at the current contractual landscape for Asylum Support. This includes the current Advice, Issue, Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) service due to the integration of these services alongside other core Asylum Business requirements.As with all Public Sector contracts, re-procurement is required to replace any expiring contracts to ensure value for money solutions to support delivery of future Asylum initiatives.The outline business case is currently being prepared for submission for internal approval towards the end of 2025.It is not currently thought that locations will change from current dispersal plans, however, this will be considered in more detail as the programme progresses.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what the interoperability is of the Compagnie de Marche with UK Border Force.

The Compagnie de Marche of enforcement officers has been mobilised, similar to the arrangements that were put in place during the Paris Olympics. The unit’s officers have specialist public order powers to address increases in violence on French beaches. This will enable more dynamic patrols of the shoreline to apprehend smugglers, intercept crossings and prevent loss of life in the Channel.However, these are French law enforcement units, and it would be inappropriate for the Home Office to comment upon their composition or duties. It is important to emphasise that French law enforcement units necessarily operate independently of UK law enforcement, though there is regular liaison, information exchange, and alignment of operational approaches between the two countries.

In which locations her Department plans to provide new asylum accommodation under the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme.

Under the Asylum Support and Accommodation Programme (ASAP) now known as Future Asylum Contract Transformation (FACT) Project, a Delivery Model Assessment was undertaken looking at the current contractual landscape for Asylum Support. This includes the current Advice, Issue, Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) service due to the integration of these services alongside other core Asylum Business requirements.As with all Public Sector contracts, re-procurement is required to replace any expiring contracts to ensure value for money solutions to support delivery of future Asylum initiatives.The outline business case is currently being prepared for submission for internal approval towards the end of 2025.It is not currently thought that locations will change from current dispersal plans, however, this will be considered in more detail as the programme progresses.

What new accommodation her Department plans to build at Manston as part of the Manston Transformation Programme.

Plans for further improvements to the processing and short-term holding facilities at Manston are under review and have not yet been finalised.

With reference to the Government's news story entitled, Update on Gaza medical evacuation scheme, published on 22 August 2025, what immigration status will the Gazan (a) children and (b) immediate family members have following the completion of the medical treatment and recovery.

The children medically evacuated to the UK, alongside their immediate family members, will be granted leave to stay for up to two years with the ability to access public funds, including treatment and wraparound support in the UK.Those who wish to remain in the UK beyond that can apply for further permission to stay under existing routes within the Immigration Rules.Should individuals brought to the UK under this process wish to return to Gaza or the region, then HMG will look to support them.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, how many new specialist enforcement officers have been allocated to the Compagnie de Marche.

The Compagnie de Marche of enforcement officers has been mobilised, similar to the arrangements that were put in place during the Paris Olympics. The unit’s officers have specialist public order powers to address increases in violence on French beaches. This will enable more dynamic patrols of the shoreline to apprehend smugglers, intercept crossings and prevent loss of life in the Channel.However, these are French law enforcement units, and it would be inappropriate for the Home Office to comment upon their composition or duties. It is important to emphasise that French law enforcement units necessarily operate independently of UK law enforcement, though there is regular liaison, information exchange, and alignment of operational approaches between the two countries.

How many and what proportion of asylum claims were made by people who entered the country legally since 5 July 2024.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘asylum detailed datasets’ as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.Data on asylum claims by route of entry to the UK is published in table Asy_D01a and data on initial decisions on asylum claims is published in table Asy_D02. Additional data on the age of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) is published in table Asy_01a of the ‘asylum summary tables’. The latest data relates to the year ending June 2025. For further information on the data, see the notes pages of the tables.Data on asylum seekers in receipt of support, by support type at the end of each quarter, is published in table Asy_D09. The latest data relates to as at 30 June 2025.Data on the outcomes of asylum appeals is published in table Asy_D07; the latest data relates to the year ending March 2023. Data on age disputes is published in table Asy_D05; the latest data relates to the year ending June 2024. Appeals and age assessment data is currently unavailable due to ongoing work on a new case working system. Updated data will be included in a future edition of the Immigration System Statistics release.

What methods of illegal entry into the UK have been used since 5 July 2024.

The Home Office publishes statistics on detected irregular arrivals to the UK in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on detected irregular arrivals by method of entry (including small boat arrivals), age group, and sex is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK detailed datasets’, with the latest data up to the end of June 2025.

With reference to her Department's document entitled How many people claim asylum in the UK?, published on 21 August 2025, if she will set the reasons why people claimed asylum increased in 2024.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics quarterly release’. The reason for individual asylum claims is not published. 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. People claim asylum for a variety of reasons including the country situation and individual protection needs. In recent years, there has been a stark, and rapid increase in net migration, which simply cannot sustain. Later this year we will set out reforms to the asylum system and to border security in response to irregular and illegal migration, including plans for new legislation building on the new measures already set out in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill that is currently progressing through Parliament.

How many asylum seekers were receiving accommodation support in (a) July 2024 and (b) July 2025.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘asylum detailed datasets’ as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.Data on asylum claims by route of entry to the UK is published in table Asy_D01a and data on initial decisions on asylum claims is published in table Asy_D02. Additional data on the age of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) is published in table Asy_01a of the ‘asylum summary tables’. The latest data relates to the year ending June 2025. For further information on the data, see the notes pages of the tables.Data on asylum seekers in receipt of support, by support type at the end of each quarter, is published in table Asy_D09. The latest data relates to as at 30 June 2025.Data on the outcomes of asylum appeals is published in table Asy_D07; the latest data relates to the year ending March 2023. Data on age disputes is published in table Asy_D05; the latest data relates to the year ending June 2024. Appeals and age assessment data is currently unavailable due to ongoing work on a new case working system. Updated data will be included in a future edition of the Immigration System Statistics release.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, when the strategic refresh of the Asylum Accommodation Programme was undertaken.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

With reference to her Department's accredited official statistics entitled How many people claim asylum in the UK?, published on 21 August 2025, what assessment she made of the potential implications for her policies of the 8,900 asylum applications from people with a visitor visa.

In the year ending June 2025, UK Visas and Immigration issued 2.2 million Visitor visas. Applicants must satisfy the decision-maker that they are a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the end of their Visit, and if not the decision-maker will refuse the visa application.The UK keeps its visa system under regular review, and the government has been clear that we will do whatever it takes to tackle the issue of visa abuse.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what input (a) she and (b) her Department has had into the review of the French maritime approach undertaken to allow greater interception of boats in shallow waters.

The Home Secretary and her Department have not had direct input into the French review of their maritime approach in relation to the operationalisation of interceptive tactics on small boats. While recognising that it would not be appropriate to provide direct input into an internal review of this nature, the UK government fully supports the review, which is the first of its kind to be undertaken by a French government. This comes amid more than 6 months of close working between the Home Secretary and the French Interior Minister.The outcome of the maritime review has not yet been announced, but we expect that French maritime operational teams will soon be able to intervene on the water to stop boats launching.This is of course operationally sensitive and legally complex, but in the coming weeks we can expect their officers to deploy a wider range of tactics to ramp up their ability to prevent these crossings.

What estimate her Department has made of what the capacity of Manston will be following the completion of the Manston Transformation Programme.

There are no plans to increase capacity, and this is being reduced as efficiencies have been made to the processing of arrivals and asylum case working.

What recent progress she has made on implementing an asylum support discontinuation and move on function as part of the Asylum Transformation Programme.

The Asylum Transformation Programme consists of a number of projects delivering improvements to the people, processes and technology that make up the Asylum system. Those improvements are delivered across 4 operational areas or programme pillars; Asylum Caseworking, Accommodation and Support, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Age Assessment, and Appeals and Litigation Review (ALAR). These pillars and associated projects are focused on improving the end to end asylum journey by streamlining, simplifying and digitalising processes to speed up decision making; establishing an asylum accommodation system with the right capacity and at optimum cost, whilst reducing the burden on the Appeals system.Additional scope added to the Asylum Transformation Programme Business Case in April 25 came in two areas. Firstly, the introduction of new appeals focused projects which aim to ease the bottleneck in the appeals and courts system, aligning to the Government ambition to address challenges across the end-to-end asylum system. The second area of expansion enabled the rehousing of three in-flight Age Assessment projects which were added when the Sovereign Borders Programme closed.The Asylum Transformation Programme (ATP) was rated Amber following its most recent Gate 0 review. Successful delivery of the programme to time, cost and quality was acknowledged as feasible but the Amber rating also denoted the existence of significant issues and subsequently led to recommendations from National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The recommendations were accepted and have provided additional mitigation against the risk NISTA identified.to Successful delivery of the programme. The programme proactively assesses government policy in this area as part of its planning and business case development cycle.The Home Office Sovereign Borders Programme, which was working to support the previous Government ambitions around the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), was closed 2024. This led to a review of the in-flight projects within the Sovereign Borders Programme to identify and reallocate, any projects for which there continued to be a sound business case. Three in-flight Age Assessment projects were identified and have now moved into the scope of Asylum Transformation Programme (from Business Case 25/26). These projects aim to optimise and digitise the age assessment process through new technology, new tools and updated policy processes. This is in line with the programmes objectives to create a more resilient and effective asylum system.A Move on function was established and has been Operational since August 2024. The Asylum Transformation Programme continues to work with Discontinuations and Move on teams to transform their joint processes to ensure a smooth transition from asylum support into mainstream services.

How many and what proportion of unsuccessfully appealed rejected initial asylum applications have been (a) returned to their country of origin, (b) returned to France and (c) remain in the UK since 5 July 2024.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the significant extension of the programme scope is as a result of the closure of another programme for the Asylum Transformation Programme; and what that other programme was.

The Asylum Transformation Programme consists of a number of projects delivering improvements to the people, processes and technology that make up the Asylum system. Those improvements are delivered across 4 operational areas or programme pillars; Asylum Caseworking, Accommodation and Support, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Age Assessment, and Appeals and Litigation Review (ALAR). These pillars and associated projects are focused on improving the end to end asylum journey by streamlining, simplifying and digitalising processes to speed up decision making; establishing an asylum accommodation system with the right capacity and at optimum cost, whilst reducing the burden on the Appeals system.Additional scope added to the Asylum Transformation Programme Business Case in April 25 came in two areas. Firstly, the introduction of new appeals focused projects which aim to ease the bottleneck in the appeals and courts system, aligning to the Government ambition to address challenges across the end-to-end asylum system. The second area of expansion enabled the rehousing of three in-flight Age Assessment projects which were added when the Sovereign Borders Programme closed.The Asylum Transformation Programme (ATP) was rated Amber following its most recent Gate 0 review. Successful delivery of the programme to time, cost and quality was acknowledged as feasible but the Amber rating also denoted the existence of significant issues and subsequently led to recommendations from National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The recommendations were accepted and have provided additional mitigation against the risk NISTA identified.to Successful delivery of the programme. The programme proactively assesses government policy in this area as part of its planning and business case development cycle.The Home Office Sovereign Borders Programme, which was working to support the previous Government ambitions around the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), was closed 2024. This led to a review of the in-flight projects within the Sovereign Borders Programme to identify and reallocate, any projects for which there continued to be a sound business case. Three in-flight Age Assessment projects were identified and have now moved into the scope of Asylum Transformation Programme (from Business Case 25/26). These projects aim to optimise and digitise the age assessment process through new technology, new tools and updated policy processes. This is in line with the programmes objectives to create a more resilient and effective asylum system.A Move on function was established and has been Operational since August 2024. The Asylum Transformation Programme continues to work with Discontinuations and Move on teams to transform their joint processes to ensure a smooth transition from asylum support into mainstream services.

With reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment has she made of the potential implications for her policies of the Asylum Transformation Programme amber Infrastructure and Projects Authority delivery confidence assessment.

The Asylum Transformation Programme consists of a number of projects delivering improvements to the people, processes and technology that make up the Asylum system. Those improvements are delivered across 4 operational areas or programme pillars; Asylum Caseworking, Accommodation and Support, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Age Assessment, and Appeals and Litigation Review (ALAR). These pillars and associated projects are focused on improving the end to end asylum journey by streamlining, simplifying and digitalising processes to speed up decision making; establishing an asylum accommodation system with the right capacity and at optimum cost, whilst reducing the burden on the Appeals system.Additional scope added to the Asylum Transformation Programme Business Case in April 25 came in two areas. Firstly, the introduction of new appeals focused projects which aim to ease the bottleneck in the appeals and courts system, aligning to the Government ambition to address challenges across the end-to-end asylum system. The second area of expansion enabled the rehousing of three in-flight Age Assessment projects which were added when the Sovereign Borders Programme closed.The Asylum Transformation Programme (ATP) was rated Amber following its most recent Gate 0 review. Successful delivery of the programme to time, cost and quality was acknowledged as feasible but the Amber rating also denoted the existence of significant issues and subsequently led to recommendations from National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The recommendations were accepted and have provided additional mitigation against the risk NISTA identified.to Successful delivery of the programme. The programme proactively assesses government policy in this area as part of its planning and business case development cycle.The Home Office Sovereign Borders Programme, which was working to support the previous Government ambitions around the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), was closed 2024. This led to a review of the in-flight projects within the Sovereign Borders Programme to identify and reallocate, any projects for which there continued to be a sound business case. Three in-flight Age Assessment projects were identified and have now moved into the scope of Asylum Transformation Programme (from Business Case 25/26). These projects aim to optimise and digitise the age assessment process through new technology, new tools and updated policy processes. This is in line with the programmes objectives to create a more resilient and effective asylum system.A Move on function was established and has been Operational since August 2024. The Asylum Transformation Programme continues to work with Discontinuations and Move on teams to transform their joint processes to ensure a smooth transition from asylum support into mainstream services.

What the scope is of work to change (a) people capabilities, (b) processes and (c) technology for asylum (i) casework, (ii) accommodation and (iii) other support through the Asylum Transformation Programme.

The Asylum Transformation Programme consists of a number of projects delivering improvements to the people, processes and technology that make up the Asylum system. Those improvements are delivered across 4 operational areas or programme pillars; Asylum Caseworking, Accommodation and Support, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Age Assessment, and Appeals and Litigation Review (ALAR). These pillars and associated projects are focused on improving the end to end asylum journey by streamlining, simplifying and digitalising processes to speed up decision making; establishing an asylum accommodation system with the right capacity and at optimum cost, whilst reducing the burden on the Appeals system.Additional scope added to the Asylum Transformation Programme Business Case in April 25 came in two areas. Firstly, the introduction of new appeals focused projects which aim to ease the bottleneck in the appeals and courts system, aligning to the Government ambition to address challenges across the end-to-end asylum system. The second area of expansion enabled the rehousing of three in-flight Age Assessment projects which were added when the Sovereign Borders Programme closed.The Asylum Transformation Programme (ATP) was rated Amber following its most recent Gate 0 review. Successful delivery of the programme to time, cost and quality was acknowledged as feasible but the Amber rating also denoted the existence of significant issues and subsequently led to recommendations from National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The recommendations were accepted and have provided additional mitigation against the risk NISTA identified.to Successful delivery of the programme. The programme proactively assesses government policy in this area as part of its planning and business case development cycle.The Home Office Sovereign Borders Programme, which was working to support the previous Government ambitions around the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), was closed 2024. This led to a review of the in-flight projects within the Sovereign Borders Programme to identify and reallocate, any projects for which there continued to be a sound business case. Three in-flight Age Assessment projects were identified and have now moved into the scope of Asylum Transformation Programme (from Business Case 25/26). These projects aim to optimise and digitise the age assessment process through new technology, new tools and updated policy processes. This is in line with the programmes objectives to create a more resilient and effective asylum system.A Move on function was established and has been Operational since August 2024. The Asylum Transformation Programme continues to work with Discontinuations and Move on teams to transform their joint processes to ensure a smooth transition from asylum support into mainstream services.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the new priorities were that required an increase in scope of the Asylum Transformation Programme; and when the increase occurred.

The Asylum Transformation Programme consists of a number of projects delivering improvements to the people, processes and technology that make up the Asylum system. Those improvements are delivered across 4 operational areas or programme pillars; Asylum Caseworking, Accommodation and Support, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Age Assessment, and Appeals and Litigation Review (ALAR). These pillars and associated projects are focused on improving the end to end asylum journey by streamlining, simplifying and digitalising processes to speed up decision making; establishing an asylum accommodation system with the right capacity and at optimum cost, whilst reducing the burden on the Appeals system.Additional scope added to the Asylum Transformation Programme Business Case in April 25 came in two areas. Firstly, the introduction of new appeals focused projects which aim to ease the bottleneck in the appeals and courts system, aligning to the Government ambition to address challenges across the end-to-end asylum system. The second area of expansion enabled the rehousing of three in-flight Age Assessment projects which were added when the Sovereign Borders Programme closed.The Asylum Transformation Programme (ATP) was rated Amber following its most recent Gate 0 review. Successful delivery of the programme to time, cost and quality was acknowledged as feasible but the Amber rating also denoted the existence of significant issues and subsequently led to recommendations from National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The recommendations were accepted and have provided additional mitigation against the risk NISTA identified.to Successful delivery of the programme. The programme proactively assesses government policy in this area as part of its planning and business case development cycle.The Home Office Sovereign Borders Programme, which was working to support the previous Government ambitions around the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), was closed 2024. This led to a review of the in-flight projects within the Sovereign Borders Programme to identify and reallocate, any projects for which there continued to be a sound business case. Three in-flight Age Assessment projects were identified and have now moved into the scope of Asylum Transformation Programme (from Business Case 25/26). These projects aim to optimise and digitise the age assessment process through new technology, new tools and updated policy processes. This is in line with the programmes objectives to create a more resilient and effective asylum system.A Move on function was established and has been Operational since August 2024. The Asylum Transformation Programme continues to work with Discontinuations and Move on teams to transform their joint processes to ensure a smooth transition from asylum support into mainstream services.