Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

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.

What her Department's planned timetable is for abolishing the immigration salary 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.

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.

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 the cost was of re-establishing the Windrush Unit.

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.

What her planned timetable is for starting the pilot of contactless travel through eGates using facial comparison technology.

The Immigration White paper, published 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including a technology pilot of contactless travel for British citizens, 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of sub-threshold activities by the Russian Federation on migration patterns in eastern Europe.

The Home Office and its partner agencies work closely and continuously with their international counterparts, including those working at the EU external border, to review the patterns and drivers behind migration patterns, assess risks, and develop our responses accordingly.

When she expects the Border Security Command to be fully operational.

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

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring family units have sufficient money to financially support any migrants without relying on the public purse through (a) reviewing and (b) extending the financial requirements to other dependant routes.

The Immigration White paper, published 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including reform of Family Migration, further details of which will be set out in due course.On 10 September 2024, the Home Secretary commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements in the Family Immigration Rules. It is expected the MAC will issue their report in the Summer. We will carefully consider the MAC’s recommendations before making any further changes.

What steps she plans to take to introduce faster routes for bringing people to the UK.

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.

On what date the Border Security Commander became responsible for (a) border security and (b) collection of illegal migration data.

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

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.