Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to paragraph 185 of the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, when she plans to introduce (a) tighter controls, (b) restrictions and (c) scrutiny of people who attempt to misuse the immigration system.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including those who seek to misuse the immigration system, further details of which will be set out in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Innovator Founder visa on entrepreneurial talent studying at UK universities.

We recognise the importance of retaining top entrepreneurial talent coming through our world leading universities. As part of this, we set out in the Immigration White Paper that we will support entrepreneurial talent currently studying at UK universities further. This will enable those with innovative business ideas to engage in that business activity while transitioning onto an Innovator Founder visa, so they can build their business and career in the UK.

How many (a) removal flights have been conducted (b) returnees were on each removal flight and (c) what was each removal flight’s destination since 5 July 2024.

The Home Office routinely publishes data on returns and removals as part of its regular series of Immigration System Statistics, the latest edition of which is available here: Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK.

With reference to paragraph 185 of the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, how she plans to simplify the (a) rules and (b) processes for deporting foreign national offenders.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including the removal of foreign national offenders and treatment of recent arrivals in the UK who commit crimes, further details of which will be set out in due course.In the interim, the Hon Member will be pleased to note that – from 5 July 2024 – 18 May 2025 – 4,436 foreign national offenders were removed from the UK, a 14% percent increase on the same period twelve months prior.

By how many places she plans to increase the very high talent visa routes for people working in AI.

The UK’s current immigration system includes targeted routes for individuals who promote growth to come to the UK. Including as entrepreneurs, through the Innovator Founder route, and leaders and future leaders in key fields through routes including Global Talent and High Potential Individual.As part of our mission to promote growth, we will go further in ensuring that the very highly skilled have opportunities to come to the UK and access our targeted routes for the brightest and best global talent by increasing the number of people arriving on our very high talent routes, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries As part of that, increasing places to our scheme for research interns, including those working in the field of Artificial Intelligence, to allow businesses access to additional promising young talentWe are also streamlining the process for employers and skilled workers to get visas, reducing bureaucracy and supporting growth.The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

What her Department's planned timetable is for raising the skilled worker threshold to RQF 6 and above.

The Immigration White Paper, published 12th May, set out a range of proposed reforms, further details of which will be set out in due course, and - where necessary – subject to consultation.

What (a) monitoring and (b) reporting the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has completed in relation to illegal immigration since he was appointed.

David Bolt was appointed as interim ICIBI on 2 June 2024, and has published six ICIBI reports since that date. The ICIBI has three further reports awaiting publication and three live inspections.Inspection work in progress - GOV.UKAll previous ICIBI inspection reports and government responses can be viewed via the ICIBI’s website.

When she plans to appoint a Windrush Commissioner.

We have established a new Windrush Unit in the Home Office dedicated to driving systemic, cultural change across the whole Department to ensure that what happened to the Windrush generation never happens again. The reinstated Windrush Unit comprises of existing Home Office Civil Servants, so re-establishing the unit did not incur any additional cost. The appointment process for the Windrush Commissioner is nearing completion, and we will make an announcement shortly. Once appointed, the Commissioner will advise on the Home Office’s response to the Windrush Lessons Learned Review which will inform when the review is completed.

From where the 1,000 staff redeployed into enforcement and returns since 5 July 2024 were moved from.

Since July 2024 the Home Office has redeployed 1,000 FTE staff to increase delivery of the government’s returns and enforcement priorities. These staff have been drawn from across the Department, including from those teams previously deployed to try and make the failed Rwanda scheme work.

How many Border Security Command staff are (a) employed directly and (b) seconded from other Government (i) departments, (ii) agencies and (iii) public bodies.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 14 February to Question 30693.

What her Department's planned timetable is for raising the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa applicants.

The Immigration White Paper, published 12th May, set out a range of proposed reforms, further details of which will be set out in due course, and - where necessary – subject to consultation.

What assessment she has made of the merits of ensuring people coming to the UK have an appropriate level of English Language skills.

The White Paper sets out the Government’s proposals to increase the level of language ability required.The ability for individuals to communicate is essential to perform civic duties, and for all social connections including, crucially, with the communities in which they live and with state and other agencies such as local authorities and non- government services. Without adequate language skills, there is a risk of isolation as well as poor integration.Analysis of the Office for National Statistics’ Longitudinal Study, which looks across generations of migrants to the UK, shows that people with better English language skills were more likely to have worked at any time, be economically active or in full-time employment at present.Being able to speak and understand English also ensures that those coming to work here are less vulnerable to abuse and exploitation in the workplace.

What her planned timetable is for closing overseas applications for social care visas.

The Immigration White Paper, published 12th May, set out a range of proposed reforms, further details of which will be set out in due course, and - where necessary – subject to consultation.

What steps she plans to take to simplify the application process for the global talent visa for top (a) scientific and (b) design talent.

The UK’s current immigration system includes targeted routes for individuals who promote growth to come to the UK. Including as entrepreneurs, through the Innovator Founder route, and leaders and future leaders in key fields through routes including Global Talent and High Potential Individual.As part of our mission to promote growth, we will go further in ensuring that the very highly skilled have opportunities to come to the UK and access our targeted routes for the brightest and best global talent by increasing the number of people arriving on our very high talent routes, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries As part of that, increasing places to our scheme for research interns, including those working in the field of Artificial Intelligence, to allow businesses access to additional promising young talentWe are also streamlining the process for employers and skilled workers to get visas, reducing bureaucracy and supporting growth.The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

From when she plans to reduce the eligibility of graduates to remain in the UK after their studies to 18 months.

The Immigration White Paper, published 12th May, set out a range of proposed reforms, further details of which will be set out in due course, and - where necessary – subject to consultation.

What her planned timetable is for the completion of the e-Visa rollout.

We are working to complete the rollout of eVisas across all eligible routes by 2026.

What her Department's planned timetable is for establishing a new Temporary Shortage List.

The Immigration White Paper, published 12th May, set out a range of proposed reforms, further details of which will be set out in due course, and - where necessary – subject to consultation.

With reference to paragraph 160 of the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, when she plans to undertake a review of existing refugee (a) sponsorship and (b) resettlement schemes.

The Immigration White paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues including a review of refugee sponsorship and resettlement, further details of which will be set out in due course.

What the size of the asylum backlog was on (a) 5 July 2024 and (b) 1 May 2025.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of asylum claims awaiting an initial decision is published in table Asy_D03 of the Asylum claims awaiting a decision detailed dataset. The latest data relate to as at 31st March 2025.Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.

When the Windrush Unit plans to complete its review of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review, published on 19 March 2020.

We have established a new Windrush Unit in the Home Office dedicated to driving systemic, cultural change across the whole Department to ensure that what happened to the Windrush generation never happens again. The reinstated Windrush Unit comprises of existing Home Office Civil Servants, so re-establishing the unit did not incur any additional cost. The appointment process for the Windrush Commissioner is nearing completion, and we will make an announcement shortly. Once appointed, the Commissioner will advise on the Home Office’s response to the Windrush Lessons Learned Review which will inform when the review is completed.