The first duty of the government is to keep citizens safe and the country secure. The Home Office has been at the front line of this endeavour since 1782. As such, the Home Office plays a fundamental role in the security and economic prosperity of the United Kingdom.
Priti Patel
Home Secretary
Tom Pursglove
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice) (jointly with Home Office)
The Committee is taking oral evidence on Home Office policy towards refugees from Ukraine.
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Make provision for new offences relating to public order; to make provision about stop and search powers; to make provision about the delegation of police functions relating to public order; to make provision about serious disruption prevention orders; and for connected purposes.
Make provision about threats to national security from espionage, sabotage and persons acting for foreign powers; about the extra-territorial application of Part 2 of the Serious Crime Act 2007; about the award of damages in proceedings relating to national security and the payment of damages at risk of being used for the purposes of terrorism; about the availability of legal aid to persons connected with terrorism; and for connected purposes.
Make provision about nationality, asylum and immigration; to make provision about victims of slavery or human trafficking; to provide a power for Tribunals to charge participants where their behaviour has wasted the Tribunal’s resources; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Thursday 28th April 2022 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to Set up a register of overseas entities and their beneficial owners and require overseas entities who own land to register in certain circumstances; to make provision about unexplained wealth orders; and to make provision about sanctions.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Monday 14th March 2022 and was enacted into law.
To make provision in relation to domestic abuse; to make provision for and in connection with the establishment of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner; to prohibit cross-examination in person in family proceedings in certain circumstances; to make provision about certain violent or sexual offences, and offences involving other abusive behaviour, committed outside the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Thursday 29th April 2021 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision about the application of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 where a building contains two or more sets of domestic premises; and to confer power to amend that order in future for the purposes of changing the premises to which it applies.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Thursday 29th April 2021 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the authorisation of criminal conduct in the course of, or otherwise in connection with, the conduct of covert human intelligence sources.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Monday 1st March 2021 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision to end rights to free movement of persons under retained EU law and to repeal other retained EU law relating to immigration; to confer power to modify retained direct EU legislation relating to social security co-ordination; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Wednesday 11th November 2020 and was enacted into law.
A bill to create a power of arrest, without warrant, for the purpose of extraditing people for serious offences
This Bill received Royal Assent on Thursday 22nd October 2020 and was enacted into law.
To provide for the payment out of money provided by Parliament of expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State or a government department under, or in connection with, the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
This Bill received Royal Assent on Monday 8th June 2020 and was enacted into law.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
The right to peaceful assembly and protest are fundamental principles of any democracy and the proposed part of this bill that gives the police new powers to tackle disruptive peaceful protests should be removed from The Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Waive visa requirement for Ukrainian refugees.
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 6 Apr 2022 Debated on - 14 Mar 2022Join other nations in providing a route to safety for refugees. Waive all visa requirements for Ukrainian passport holders arriving in the UK.
Release the Home Office's Grooming Gang Review in full
Gov Responded - 19 May 2020 Debated on - 3 Feb 2021The Government is refusing to release official research on the characteristics of grooming gangs, claiming it is not in the “public interest”.
We, the British public, demand the release of the official research on grooming gangs undertaken by the Government in full.
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
Historic information about the number of appointments made available by Her Majesty’s Passport Office for its urgent services is not held. However, all appointments are made available to be booked from GOV.UK. The table below shows the number of urgent service appointments booked each week between the weeks ending 6 February and 8 May 2022:
Appointments | Service Level | ||
Week Ending | Digital Premium | Fast Track | Grand Total |
06/02/2022 | 3,232 | 7,691 | 10,923 |
13/02/2022 | 3,343 | 8,481 | 11,824 |
20/02/2022 | 3,243 | 8,006 | 11,249 |
27/02/2022 | 3,302 | 8,238 | 11,540 |
06/03/2022 | 3,661 | 8,344 | 12,005 |
13/03/2022 | 3,574 | 8,965 | 12,539 |
20/03/2022 | 4,069 | 10,535 | 14,604 |
27/03/2022 | 4,451 | 11,984 | 16,435 |
03/04/2022 | 4,581 | 13,167 | 17,748 |
10/04/2022 | 4,588 | 12,473 | 17,061 |
17/04/2022 | 3,652 | 10,900 | 14,552 |
24/04/2022 | 3,235 | 9,391 | 12,626 |
01/05/2022 | 4,303 | 11,968 | 16,271 |
08/05/2022 | 3,834 | 11,711 | 15,545 |
Grand Total | 53,068 | 141,854 | 194,922 |
We are developing a border and immigration system which is “digital-by-default”, which over time means we will increasingly replace physical and paper-based products and services such as biometric residence permits (BRPs) with accessible, easy to use online and digital services.
We have been rolling out eVisas since 2018, first with the EU Settlement Scheme and increasingly on other immigration routes, so the number of eVisa holders is continuing to rise.
We have also put in place the infrastructure to allow immigration status to be checked digitally, with simple online services for employers, landlords and other third parties, and system to system services which enable other Government departments and public authorities to access immigration status information automatically, without the individual having to share their status information. Such services currently include the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and NHS England and Wales, and we will continue to develop further services during 2022 and 2023.
The incremental rollout of eVisas has allowed us to improve our services based on user feedback and we continue to work to make our services as accessible as possible. We have also put in place support for those who experience issues or struggle to use digital services. The dedicated UKVI Resolution Centre (RC) can assist individuals to access their eVisa and use online services.
We are encouraging legacy immigration document holders to upgrade to a secure modern document. Since 6 April 2022, it has been free for those with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK to make an No Time Limit (NTL) application, which will provide them a BRP as a step towards moving to digital.
We will also develop an account registration service, allowing those who currently hold a BRP but no eVisa to register for an account and receive an eVisa, in advance of their BRP expiring. More guidance on this process and what action BRP holders need to take will be made available on gov.uk in due course.
We are planning further communications activity aimed at BRP holders and checkers, to tell them what they will need to do as we move to a digital by default in-country immigration system by the end of 2024. We will also endeavour to reach vulnerable citizens who are less digitally confident through collaboration with other Government departments and stakeholders.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Below is the average FTE on the HMPO Account each month from April 2019.
Average FTE | |
April 2019 | 240.10 |
May 2019 | 247.10 |
June 2019 | 254.70 |
July 2019 | 244.97 |
August 2019 | 195.39 |
September2019 | 159.94 |
October 2019 | 141.78 |
November2019 | 133.00 |
December 2019 | 142.05 |
January 2020 | 172.75 |
February 2020 | 221.16 |
March 2020 | 205.79 |
April 2020 | 119.18 |
May 2020 | 104.45 |
June 2020 | 140.65 |
July 2020 | 220.68 |
August 2020 | 258.13 |
September2020 | 192.41 |
October 2020 | 161.97 |
November2020 | 136.39 |
December 2020 | 170.07 |
January 2021 | 230.98 |
February 2021 | 152.84 |
March 2021 | 133.24 |
April 2021 | 130.35 |
May 2021 | 128.42 |
June 2021 | 165.40 |
July 2021 | 171.38 |
August 2021 | 187.66 |
September2021 | 215.85 |
October 2021 | 223.58 |
November2021 | 470.74 |
December 2021 | 805.90 |
January 2022 | 1037.66 |
February 2022 | 1144.29 |
March 2022 | 1020.38 |
April 2022 | 1007.82 |
May 2022 | 1358.69 |
Appointments for urgent services are released three weeks in advance. While this means new appointments are released on a daily basis at each of the seven public counters, in busy periods these will be booked quickly.
Her Majesty’s Passport Office therefore continues to explore options to increase appointment capacity to further support its customers with urgent travel needs.
This Government recognises the devastating impact burglary has on communities and businesses. That is why we are recruiting 20,000 extra police officers and why we have introduced the Safer Streets Fund - which encompasses rural locations - to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place, supporting the deployment of solutions such as home security, increased street lighting and CCTV in high crime areas.
We have also taken measures to tackle reoffending, including the scheme electronically to monitor burglars and other neighbourhood crime offenders released on licence, and work driven by the Residential Burglary Taskforce includes encouraging forces to learn from each other and share best practice about effective investigations.
We are committed to ensuring our operational teams have the resources they need to run an efficient and effective system, and we actively monitor workflows to ensure sufficient resources are in place to meet demand.
Over 500 staff are supporting our Ukrainian work. Improvements including a simplified application form and casework system enhancements have sped up decision-making and improved the system, while ensuring vital security checks are carried out.
Applicants are encouraged to apply under the scheme that matches their circumstances.
If an application under one scheme is not granted, an application under the alternative scheme may be considered, or a re-application under the same scheme. An application to the Homes For Ukraine scheme cannot be made by an individual who is already in the UK and so a person in the UK cannot switch between the different schemes.
When procuring accommodation, our accommodation providers will consult on each new property to be procured, this provides Local Authorities with an opportunity to set out concerns about the impact on local services, regeneration schemes and anti-social behaviour.
Due to differences in some of the work undertaken at individual passport offices, such as more complex international work, productivity will vary at a local level. However, Her Majesty’s Passport Office has a range of tried and tested arrangements in place to monitor performance at local and national level, which helps to ensure that there is no disparity in the handling of like-for-like cases across each site.
The process for issuing visas and permission to travel letters is different and distinct.
A visa is issued after the applicant has applied online and gone to their local visa application centre to submit their biometrics.
Permission to travel letters are issued for applicants who have a valid Ukrainian passport who can apply online to come to the UK from wherever they are and they then give their biometrics once in Britain.
Both visas and permissions to travel letter cannot be issued until after a decision has been made on a customer's application.
We recognise that during peak periods waiting times can be considerably longer than that. This is due to an increase in call demand since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis.
As a result of the increased demand the Department has more than doubled the number of staff operating the helpline. MPs can also contact the Home Office via the MPs Urgent Enquiries inbox or in person at the Portcullis House walk-in hub.
We recognise during peak periods waiting times can be considerably longer than that due to an increase in call demand since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis.
As a result of the increased demand the Department has more than doubled the number of staff operating the helpline. MPs also have the ability to contact the Home Office via the MPs Urgent Enquiries inbox or in person at the Portcullis House walk-in hub.
In response to UIN: 1247
A Preliminary Payment of £10,000 will be made as soon as a claimant can demonstrate an Impact on Life under the terms of the Scheme. In addition, the Urgent and Exceptional Payments Policy is still available and allows for urgent financial support to be paid in advance of a full compensation payment.
Entitlement to a full award under the Windrush Compensation Scheme arises when the customer provides written confirmation they accept a determination in full. If a review is requested on part of the award offered, the whole claim must progress to review.
In response to UIN:1248
The Home Office publishes Windrush Compensation Scheme Data monthly, including for Tier one reviews which are completed by a Home Office Senior Reviewer and Tier two reviews which are completed by the Independent Adjudicator’s Office. Published data is available to the end of March 2022, Migration transparency data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Windrush Compensation Scheme data: March 2022 refers.
The data covering the period ended 14 April 2022 and 12 May 2022 has not yet been published.
In response to UIN: 1247
A Preliminary Payment of £10,000 will be made as soon as a claimant can demonstrate an Impact on Life under the terms of the Scheme. In addition, the Urgent and Exceptional Payments Policy is still available and allows for urgent financial support to be paid in advance of a full compensation payment.
Entitlement to a full award under the Windrush Compensation Scheme arises when the customer provides written confirmation they accept a determination in full. If a review is requested on part of the award offered, the whole claim must progress to review.
In response to UIN:1248
The Home Office publishes Windrush Compensation Scheme Data monthly, including for Tier one reviews which are completed by a Home Office Senior Reviewer and Tier two reviews which are completed by the Independent Adjudicator’s Office. Published data is available to the end of March 2022, Migration transparency data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Windrush Compensation Scheme data: March 2022 refers.
The data covering the period ended 14 April 2022 and 12 May 2022 has not yet been published.
The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
We tell people in the letter they receive with their biometric residence permit (BRP) about the transition from physical evidence of immigration status to online evidence of immigration status (eVisas) and the plan to phase out the use of physical documents before the end of 2024. We have also placed information on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/report-problem.
We also tell BRP holders to access the online checking service for right to work or right to rent purposes. The online service displays the expiry date of a person’s leave.
Over 15,000 people were supported to come to the UK directly following the evacuation of Afghanistan, with a further 3,000 having arrived since.
Following the evacuation from Afghanistan over the summer, work is underway to ensure information relating to all the individuals relocated under both schemes are recorded on case working systems. Once this work concludes, statistics on ACRS and ARAP will be included in future editions of the Immigration Statistics.
Over 15,000 people were supported to come to the UK directly following the evacuation of Afghanistan, with a further 3,000 having arrived since.
Following the evacuation from Afghanistan over the summer, work is underway to ensure information relating to all the individuals relocated under both schemes are recorded on case working systems. Once this work concludes, statistics on ACRS and ARAP will be included in future editions of the Immigration Statistics.
Over 15,000 people were supported to come to the UK directly following the evacuation of Afghanistan, with a further 3,000 having arrived since.
Following the evacuation from Afghanistan over the summer, work is underway to ensure information relating to all the individuals relocated under both schemes are recorded on case working systems. Once this work concludes, statistics on ACRS and ARAP will be included in future editions of the Immigration Statistics.
British passports are issued to British nationals only.
Should any person become a British citizen through naturalisation or registration, they should apply for a British passport in the usual way. All applicants in the UK using the standard service are currently advised to allow up to ten weeks to get their passport.
When an asylum seeker in full-board initial accommodation (where there is Migrant Help physical presence) has been granted section 95 states an Aspen card will be issued within 4-6 working days. Where individuals are in other accommodation locations they will be sent Aspen cards by Royal Mail post, once issued.
We have undertaken improvement work to reduce the waiting time by introducing twice weekly reporting and ensuring prompt data sharing with Migrant Help.
When an asylum seeker in full-board initial accommodation (where there is Migrant Help physical presence) has been granted section 95 states an Aspen card will be issued within 4-6 working days. Where individuals are in other accommodation locations they will be sent Aspen cards by Royal Mail post, once issued.
We have undertaken improvement work to reduce the waiting time by introducing twice weekly reporting and ensuring prompt data sharing with Migrant Help.
Unaccompanied minors are only eligible under the Homes for Ukraine scheme if they are reuniting with a parent or legal guardian in the UK – this is outlined in the Immigration Rules.
Data on the number of people issued under Homes for Ukraine can be found on the GOV.UK webpage: Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) visa data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Unaccompanied minors are only eligible under the Homes for Ukraine scheme if they are reuniting with a parent or legal guardian in the UK – this is outlined in the Immigration Rules.
Data on the number of people issued under Homes for Ukraine can be found on the GOV.UK webpage: Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) visa data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The key next step for the procurement will be the release of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to commence market engagement. That will enable the development of the commercial and procurement strategies and of estimated timelines for letting a contract. It will also give a good sense of the supplier market hence likely delivery options, challenges, schedules, and operational in-service dates.
The intention is that the new vessels will replace the existing fleet on a one-for-one basis. Specifics of the transition, and associated commissioning and decommissioning activity, will be carefully managed to minimise any risk to operational activity.
This will enable Border Force to continue to tackle key maritime law enforcement and border security priorities.
Any future deployment of maritime capability will be flexible and responsive and will form part of a layered approach to coastal security and law enforcement, ensuring we have an effective capability, which works in partnership with other organisations to respond to current and future threats.
All assets are currently positioned in UK waters and are constantly deployed to protect the UK border as and when needed.
[2422] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of five (5) cutters every year and will continue to do so.
NB: HMC Sentinel has been retired.
[2423] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of six (6) coastal patrol vessels every year and will continue to do so.
[2421] Annual maintenance to CPV Active has been awarded to a SME supplier in the North West for £58,920.96.
A procurement to acquire the services for a Ships Life Extension Programme (SLEP) to HMC Valiant is currently being undertaken. Therefore, at the time of this question being asked an accurate response to the value of annual maintenance is not provided as the competition has not concluded.
The key next step for the procurement will be the release of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to commence market engagement. That will enable the development of the commercial and procurement strategies and of estimated timelines for letting a contract. It will also give a good sense of the supplier market hence likely delivery options, challenges, schedules, and operational in-service dates.
The intention is that the new vessels will replace the existing fleet on a one-for-one basis. Specifics of the transition, and associated commissioning and decommissioning activity, will be carefully managed to minimise any risk to operational activity.
This will enable Border Force to continue to tackle key maritime law enforcement and border security priorities.
Any future deployment of maritime capability will be flexible and responsive and will form part of a layered approach to coastal security and law enforcement, ensuring we have an effective capability, which works in partnership with other organisations to respond to current and future threats.
All assets are currently positioned in UK waters and are constantly deployed to protect the UK border as and when needed.
[2422] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of five (5) cutters every year and will continue to do so.
NB: HMC Sentinel has been retired.
[2423] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of six (6) coastal patrol vessels every year and will continue to do so.
[2421] Annual maintenance to CPV Active has been awarded to a SME supplier in the North West for £58,920.96.
A procurement to acquire the services for a Ships Life Extension Programme (SLEP) to HMC Valiant is currently being undertaken. Therefore, at the time of this question being asked an accurate response to the value of annual maintenance is not provided as the competition has not concluded.
The key next step for the procurement will be the release of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to commence market engagement. That will enable the development of the commercial and procurement strategies and of estimated timelines for letting a contract. It will also give a good sense of the supplier market hence likely delivery options, challenges, schedules, and operational in-service dates.
The intention is that the new vessels will replace the existing fleet on a one-for-one basis. Specifics of the transition, and associated commissioning and decommissioning activity, will be carefully managed to minimise any risk to operational activity.
This will enable Border Force to continue to tackle key maritime law enforcement and border security priorities.
Any future deployment of maritime capability will be flexible and responsive and will form part of a layered approach to coastal security and law enforcement, ensuring we have an effective capability, which works in partnership with other organisations to respond to current and future threats.
All assets are currently positioned in UK waters and are constantly deployed to protect the UK border as and when needed.
[2422] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of five (5) cutters every year and will continue to do so.
NB: HMC Sentinel has been retired.
[2423] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of six (6) coastal patrol vessels every year and will continue to do so.
[2421] Annual maintenance to CPV Active has been awarded to a SME supplier in the North West for £58,920.96.
A procurement to acquire the services for a Ships Life Extension Programme (SLEP) to HMC Valiant is currently being undertaken. Therefore, at the time of this question being asked an accurate response to the value of annual maintenance is not provided as the competition has not concluded.
The key next step for the procurement will be the release of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to commence market engagement. That will enable the development of the commercial and procurement strategies and of estimated timelines for letting a contract. It will also give a good sense of the supplier market hence likely delivery options, challenges, schedules, and operational in-service dates.
The intention is that the new vessels will replace the existing fleet on a one-for-one basis. Specifics of the transition, and associated commissioning and decommissioning activity, will be carefully managed to minimise any risk to operational activity.
This will enable Border Force to continue to tackle key maritime law enforcement and border security priorities.
Any future deployment of maritime capability will be flexible and responsive and will form part of a layered approach to coastal security and law enforcement, ensuring we have an effective capability, which works in partnership with other organisations to respond to current and future threats.
All assets are currently positioned in UK waters and are constantly deployed to protect the UK border as and when needed.
[2422] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of five (5) cutters every year and will continue to do so.
NB: HMC Sentinel has been retired.
[2423] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of six (6) coastal patrol vessels every year and will continue to do so.
[2421] Annual maintenance to CPV Active has been awarded to a SME supplier in the North West for £58,920.96.
A procurement to acquire the services for a Ships Life Extension Programme (SLEP) to HMC Valiant is currently being undertaken. Therefore, at the time of this question being asked an accurate response to the value of annual maintenance is not provided as the competition has not concluded.
The key next step for the procurement will be the release of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to commence market engagement. That will enable the development of the commercial and procurement strategies and of estimated timelines for letting a contract. It will also give a good sense of the supplier market hence likely delivery options, challenges, schedules, and operational in-service dates.
The intention is that the new vessels will replace the existing fleet on a one-for-one basis. Specifics of the transition, and associated commissioning and decommissioning activity, will be carefully managed to minimise any risk to operational activity.
This will enable Border Force to continue to tackle key maritime law enforcement and border security priorities.
Any future deployment of maritime capability will be flexible and responsive and will form part of a layered approach to coastal security and law enforcement, ensuring we have an effective capability, which works in partnership with other organisations to respond to current and future threats.
All assets are currently positioned in UK waters and are constantly deployed to protect the UK border as and when needed.
[2422] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of five (5) cutters every year and will continue to do so.
NB: HMC Sentinel has been retired.
[2423] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of six (6) coastal patrol vessels every year and will continue to do so.
[2421] Annual maintenance to CPV Active has been awarded to a SME supplier in the North West for £58,920.96.
A procurement to acquire the services for a Ships Life Extension Programme (SLEP) to HMC Valiant is currently being undertaken. Therefore, at the time of this question being asked an accurate response to the value of annual maintenance is not provided as the competition has not concluded.
The key next step for the procurement will be the release of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to commence market engagement. That will enable the development of the commercial and procurement strategies and of estimated timelines for letting a contract. It will also give a good sense of the supplier market hence likely delivery options, challenges, schedules, and operational in-service dates.
The intention is that the new vessels will replace the existing fleet on a one-for-one basis. Specifics of the transition, and associated commissioning and decommissioning activity, will be carefully managed to minimise any risk to operational activity.
This will enable Border Force to continue to tackle key maritime law enforcement and border security priorities.
Any future deployment of maritime capability will be flexible and responsive and will form part of a layered approach to coastal security and law enforcement, ensuring we have an effective capability, which works in partnership with other organisations to respond to current and future threats.
All assets are currently positioned in UK waters and are constantly deployed to protect the UK border as and when needed.
[2422] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of five (5) cutters every year and will continue to do so.
NB: HMC Sentinel has been retired.
[2423] Border Force conduct a systematic approach to maintenance and repairs to our fleet of six (6) coastal patrol vessels every year and will continue to do so.
[2421] Annual maintenance to CPV Active has been awarded to a SME supplier in the North West for £58,920.96.
A procurement to acquire the services for a Ships Life Extension Programme (SLEP) to HMC Valiant is currently being undertaken. Therefore, at the time of this question being asked an accurate response to the value of annual maintenance is not provided as the competition has not concluded.
The Home Office continues to work closely with the National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) and other government departments on the procurement of new Border Force vessels as referenced within the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Home Office Ministers attend the strategy’s Inter-Ministerial Group on Shipbuilding supported by Home Office officials attending wider bilateral events. The NSO are similarly represented on the programme’s governance which further supports close ongoing engagement.
Where we have applications from family groups we would look to group these decisions together so families receive decisions wherever possible at the same time.
Rwanda is a safe and secure country with respect for the rule of law. Rwanda’s constitution includes a broad prohibition on discrimination. We have carried out a robust assessment of the country which demonstrates our commitment to fully evaluating whether Rwanda would be suitable for each potentially eligible person to be relocated. Relocation decisions will be taken on a case by case basis and nobody will be relocated if it is unsafe or inappropriate for them.
We would only ever work with countries that we know are safe and will treat asylum seekers in accordance with relevant international human rights laws.