Written questions by Lowe.

What the cost was of providing accommodation in hotels and other contingency accommodation to illegal migrants in 2025.

We do not report and hold data at this granularity, including by method of arrival, and would only be obtainable at disproportionate cost.The Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract (AASC) Requirements below gives a detailed breakdown of all the services to be undertaken by our accommodation providers and to the standards we expect. Full details of this can be found here: http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-1112/AASC_-_Schedule_2_-_Statement_of_Requirements.pdf.The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the: Home Office annual report and accounts: 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK.

What services were contracted and delivered on-site within hotels housing illegal migrants in 2025, including medical services, transport, catering, security, and welfare support.

The Home Office holds nine contracts for the provision of asylum accommodation and support services across the UK. Information related to these contracts, including the services delivered under them, is publicly available at the links below.Hotel accommodation is managed directly by the contracted providers. Services delivered on-site typically include food and catering, laundry, security, and basic welfare support. These services are provided to ensure safe and suitable living conditions for asylum seekers and to help manage pressures on local authorities and public services while individuals await a decision on their claim. SercoAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts FinderAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder MearsAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts FinderAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts FinderAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder CRHAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts FinderAASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder CTMCCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts FinderContract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder

How much her Department spent on (a) legal advice and (b) other support services for migrants who arrived in the UK illegally who are in accommodation by contract in 2025.

The Home Office does not hold the requested data on the provision of legal advice. Asylum seekers may be eligible for legal aid, which is administered by the Legal Aid Agency in the Ministry of Justice.Regarding other services, the Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract (AASC) Statement of Requirements provides a detailed breakdown of all services that accommodation providers must deliver, along with the standards expected of them. The full document is available here:http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-1112/AASC_-_Schedule_2_-_Statement_of_Requirements.pdfThe Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure, including services such as AASC and AIRE, within its Annual Report and Accounts. These can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ho-annual-reports-and-accounts

What the per-person, per-night cost was for hotel accommodation used for illegal migrants in 2025 by region and supplier.

We do not report and hold data at this granularity and would only be obtainable at disproportionate cost.The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office annual report and accounts: 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK

What the spend was on taxis and private transport services provided to illegal migrants in 2025 by region and supplier.

The Home Secretary took immediate action to ensure public money is spent efficiently and fairly by ordering a review into the use of taxis for asylum seekers.Home Office officials are working to implement a new approach that assumes public transport as the default mode for all funded transport for medical and other defined ad hoc appointments, with taxi or private hire vehicles permitted only in exceptional, clearly defined circumstances.Contracted Accommodation Providers are yet to finalise the submission of invoices in respect of 2025 transport costs and these will require reconciliation and validation before payment is made and averages can be calculated.

What the average cost per trip was for taxi journeys commissioned under asylum accommodation contracts in 2025 by purpose of journey.

The Home Secretary took immediate action to ensure public money is spent efficiently and fairly by ordering a review into the use of taxis for asylum seekers.Home Office officials are working to implement a new approach that assumes public transport as the default mode for all funded transport for medical and other defined ad hoc appointments, with taxi or private hire vehicles permitted only in exceptional, clearly defined circumstances.Contracted Accommodation Providers are yet to finalise the submission of invoices in respect of 2025 transport costs and these will require reconciliation and validation before payment is made and averages can be calculated.

For the total number of people to enter the UK through the Afghanistan Response Route to date.

The information you have requested is published in the Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK. Data on the Afghan Response Route (ARR) are published in table Res_01 of the Safe and legal (humanitarian) routes to the UK summary tables, which provides a specific breakdown of ARR arrivals. The latest data is available up to the end of September 2025. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook.

How many civil servants employed by their Department work in roles primarily focused on (a) transgender policy, (b) diversity, (c) equity and (d) inclusion; and at what annual salary cost.

There are no roles primarily focused on transgender policy.Within central HR there are 18 roles primarily focused on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) - a total of 16.06 FTE.The total aggregate annual salary cost based on the latest reporting period for Jan 25/26 is: £918,348.60.

What the cost to the public purse was of feasibility studies conducted by their Department for projects that did not proceed in the last five years.

The information requested could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

If she will publish a list of all companies that are contracted by the Department to provide asylum related services.

The Home Office holds one contract with Migrant Help for the provision of asylum services. The overall value for the 10-year contract (2019-2029) is £235,000,000. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts FinderThe AIRE – Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility contract held with Migrant Help includes 24-hour service provisions. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts FinderThe Home Office holds contracts with the following companies for asylum related services. This information is publicly available:Serco Ltd- AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019 Mears Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019 Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited - CCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts Finder Contract start date 26 February 2023Contract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder Contract start date 23 April 2025Prepaid Financial Services Limited - Support Payment Card - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 27 February 2021Migrant Help - AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019Mitie Limited - Provision of Security Services at Home Office Contingency Accommodation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 16 September 2022British Refugee Council - Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Support Service - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 9 February 2022thebigword Group Limited - Language Services - Translation & Interpretation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 29 February 2024VF Services (UK) Limited - Contract for the provision of Home Office and Asylum Interviews - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 6 August 2024

What is the total value of contracts her Department holds with Migrant Help, broken down by financial year since 2020.

The Home Office holds one contract with Migrant Help for the provision of asylum services. The overall value for the 10-year contract (2019-2029) is £235,000,000. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts FinderThe AIRE – Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility contract held with Migrant Help includes 24-hour service provisions. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts FinderThe Home Office holds contracts with the following companies for asylum related services. This information is publicly available:Serco Ltd- AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019 Mears Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019 Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited - CCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts Finder Contract start date 26 February 2023Contract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder Contract start date 23 April 2025Prepaid Financial Services Limited - Support Payment Card - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 27 February 2021Migrant Help - AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019Mitie Limited - Provision of Security Services at Home Office Contingency Accommodation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 16 September 2022British Refugee Council - Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Support Service - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 9 February 2022thebigword Group Limited - Language Services - Translation & Interpretation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 29 February 2024VF Services (UK) Limited - Contract for the provision of Home Office and Asylum Interviews - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 6 August 2024

What contracts her Department has with Migrant Help for the provision of services to asylum seekers.

The Home Office holds one contract with Migrant Help for the provision of asylum services. The overall value for the 10-year contract (2019-2029) is £235,000,000. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts FinderThe AIRE – Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility contract held with Migrant Help includes 24-hour service provisions. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts FinderThe Home Office holds contracts with the following companies for asylum related services. This information is publicly available:Serco Ltd- AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019 Mears Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019 Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited - CCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts Finder Contract start date 26 February 2023Contract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder Contract start date 23 April 2025Prepaid Financial Services Limited - Support Payment Card - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 27 February 2021Migrant Help - AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019Mitie Limited - Provision of Security Services at Home Office Contingency Accommodation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 16 September 2022British Refugee Council - Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Support Service - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 9 February 2022thebigword Group Limited - Language Services - Translation & Interpretation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 29 February 2024VF Services (UK) Limited - Contract for the provision of Home Office and Asylum Interviews - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 6 August 2024

What estimate she has made of the annual cost of asylum (a) support payments, (b) accommodation and (c) associated services.

The full cost of asylum support is disclosed in the Departments published Annual Report and Accounts and includes support payments, accommodation and all other support services.A link to the text on the 2024-25 Home Office Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) relating to Asylum Support can be found at this link Home Office Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 2025 (on page 75).

What weekly financial support is provided to asylum seekers, including cash payments and vouchers; and how many people receive this support.

The level of the allowance given to those supported under section 95 and section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is reviewed each year to ensure it covers an asylum seeker’s “essential living needs”. Full details of the items that are considered essential are set out in Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK.The Home Office publishes data on asylum seekers in receipt of Home Office support, by support type, in table Asy_D09 of the Immigration System Statistics release. The latest data relates to the year ending September 2025. Further details can be found on Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

Whether any contracts her Department holds with Migrant Help include 24-hour service provisions.

The Home Office holds one contract with Migrant Help for the provision of asylum services. The overall value for the 10-year contract (2019-2029) is £235,000,000. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts FinderThe AIRE – Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility contract held with Migrant Help includes 24-hour service provisions. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts FinderThe Home Office holds contracts with the following companies for asylum related services. This information is publicly available:Serco Ltd- AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019 Mears Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019 Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited - CCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts Finder Contract start date 26 February 2023Contract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder Contract start date 23 April 2025Prepaid Financial Services Limited - Support Payment Card - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 27 February 2021Migrant Help - AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019Mitie Limited - Provision of Security Services at Home Office Contingency Accommodation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 16 September 2022British Refugee Council - Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Support Service - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 9 February 2022thebigword Group Limited - Language Services - Translation & Interpretation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 29 February 2024VF Services (UK) Limited - Contract for the provision of Home Office and Asylum Interviews - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 6 August 2024

What contracts her Department currently holds with (i) ClearVoice and (ii) other interpretation providers for asylum and migration services.

The Home Office does not hold any contract with ClearVoice.The Home Office has a contract above threshold with ‘thebigword’ Group Limited.

What is the total annual cost of interpretation and translation services for asylum seekers in each of the last three years.

The information requested is not centrally held and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

What was the cost to the public purse of translation and interpretation services by her Department for asylum seekers in Great Yarmouth constituency in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not centrally held and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of licensing laws for supporting rural and community pubs.

Hospitality businesses are vital to our communities, both in town centres and in rural areas. As well as providing local jobs and supporting local supply chains, they help create places where people want to live, work, visit and invest.No assessment has been made specifically of the link between licensing laws and supporting rural and community pubs, however a wider reform programme is underway following the report of a Licensing Taskforce and consultation with stakeholders over the past year. The Government aims to support all hospitality businesses, by developing reforms which lead to a more responsive and enabling licensing system for hospitality and leisure businesses that also protects and safeguards communities.As part of the licensing reforms programme a Call for Evidence closed in November with over 2,000 responses to a range of questions about changes that could be made to the licensing regime. Following that we published a new National Licensing Policy Framework (NLPF) for the hospitality sector, which set how the Licensing Act should be applied to support the growth of hospitality businesses and highlights examples of good practice.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 December 2025 to Question 95752 on Offenders and Undocumented migrants, if she will increase the amount of staff to 6,500.

The 65 staff are directly involved in tracing and resourcing for this activity is regularly reviewed. They work in partnership with the police, other government agencies, and commercial companies to identify information on a person that may help to progress the case.