Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Asylum and Immigration Applications Backlog

Monday 20 March 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Prime Minister committed to clearing the legacy asylum backlog in 2023, doubling caseworkers and productivity.
  • The Minister offered to look into a specific visa issue for a constituent's niece, ruling a US court as guardians.
  • The UK visa service meets or exceeds all standards, with reassigned staff from the Homes for Ukraine scheme improving performance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The Minister previously committed to clear the legacy backlog of asylum applications by the end of this year. The question addresses recent progress.

Question

What recent progress her Department has made on reducing the backlog of asylum applications?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The Prime Minister committed to clear the legacy backlog over this year. We have doubled caseworkers and are set to double again, streamlining processes while maintaining standards. Caseworker productivity has more than doubled since the start of the year.

Answered
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Q2 Hannah Bardell SNP
Immigration Scotland
Context

A constituent Mr and Mrs Leeson, UK residents but American citizens, face delays with a visa for their niece to join them from the USA. The constituent's niece is currently stuck in the US.

Question

My constituents have huge issues getting their niece a visa despite a US court ruling that they are her guardians; will the Minister meet me to discuss this?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

I would be happy to look into the case. The UK visa service is meeting or exceeding all its standards, but I will examine this specific issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific commitment on a timeline for the meeting

How: General Statement About Overall Good Service

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Q3 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Immigration
Context

The Minister claims the visa service is performing well, but the questioner cites numerous instances of delays in work visas, visitor visas, among others over 18 years.

Question

Despite assurances of good service, there are many cases of delayed work and visitor visas. When will improvements be made?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The UK visa service meets or exceeds all standards. People reassigned for Homes for Ukraine scheme are back on job, improving performance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline to address widespread delays

How: General Statement About Overall Good Service

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Q4 Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham
Asylum & Refugees Scotland Wales
Context

There is a need for accommodation due to increasing numbers of asylum seekers. The question asks about the progress made by the Scottish Government.

Question

Can my right hon. Friend update on the progress that the Scottish Government are making on housing numbers of asylum seekers?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The number of individuals in initial and contingency accommodation in Scotland is very low, with fewer hotels than in Kensington. Wales has even fewer hotels.

Not addressed: specific progress or plans by the Scottish Government on housing for asylum seekers

How: Criticizing The Snp And Labour

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Q5 Damian Collins Con
Migrants & Borders
Context

The sudden arrival of thousands of migrants over a bank holiday weekend causes infrastructure problems. The question addresses the need for deterrence measures.

Question

To stop dangerous trafficking and demonstrate that crossing is futile, what actions will be taken?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The only sustainable answer is breaking the people smugglers' model as outlined in the Illegal Migration Bill. This includes sending people to safe third countries.

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