Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many visa applications have been refused under the “visa brake” policy; and what assessment they have made of the number of applications that have not been made in light of the policy, in respect of each of (1) Afghanistan, (2) Cameroon, (3) Myanmar, and (4) Sudan, since the introduction of the policy.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Applications for visas on the affected routes from the affected nationalities are now being refused. The latest public immigration statistics show that visa applications for the affected routes and nationalities in Q2 2026 have on average fallen by over 90% compared to Q4 2025.

The visa brake for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will be reviewed by the Home Office after 18 months after imposition. This principally involves an assessment of the risk of future visa-linked asylum claims. It does not mean the visa brake will necessarily be lifted. The brake will only be lifted once the government assesses it appropriate to do so and it is clear that there has been a reduction in the risk of high proportions of visa-linked asylum claims recommencing on these routes from these nationalities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they anticipate lifting the visa brake.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Applications for visas on the affected routes from the affected nationalities are now being refused. The latest public immigration statistics show that visa applications for the affected routes and nationalities in Q2 2026 have on average fallen by over 90% compared to Q4 2025.

The visa brake for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will be reviewed by the Home Office after 18 months after imposition. This principally involves an assessment of the risk of future visa-linked asylum claims. It does not mean the visa brake will necessarily be lifted. The brake will only be lifted once the government assesses it appropriate to do so and it is clear that there has been a reduction in the risk of high proportions of visa-linked asylum claims recommencing on these routes from these nationalities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 15 July (HL1735), what steps they are taking to ensure compliance with regulations UK261 and to protect passengers lawfully resident in the UK with a valid digital-only eVisa who are denied boarding by airlines on the basis they are not adequately documented, and prevented from claiming compensation under the regulations due to airlines not following Home Office guidance on checking permission to travel to the UK.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for enforcing UK261. Whether compensation is payable where a passenger is denied boarding depends on the circumstances of the individual case. Passengers who consider that an airline has not complied with its obligations should first raise the matter with the airline and may then pursue the available redress arrangements.

Since 25 February 2026, all commercial aviation carriers flying directly to the UK have been integrated into the interactive Advance Passenger Information system and use it to verify passengers’ permission to travel to the UK. Over the last three years, the Home Office has worked extensively with carriers through direct communications, carrier forums and awareness sessions to support the transition to eVisas and minimise the risk of passengers being incorrectly denied boarding. The Home Office continues to engage closely with carriers to ensure they understand and correctly apply the processes for verifying a passenger's permission to travel, including the use of digital immigration status. Where a carrier is unable to confirm a person’s permission to travel, it can contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for advice and support.

eVisa holders are advised to keep their UKVI account up to date and ensure that the passport or travel document they intend to use is linked to their account. More than 11 million eVisas have been issued, and most people use them without issue.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to implement recommendation 6.5 of the Independent Sentencing Review, published on 22 May 2025, to commission a study on the impact and consequences of the assault on emergency workers legislation; and if so when; and if not, why not.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Independent Sentencing Review (ISR) published its findings on 22 May 2025, and the previous Lord Chancellor welcomed the recommendations and accepted the majority of them in principle. The Sentencing Act takes forward many of the ISR recommendations and it received royal assent on 22 January. We are continuing to consider the ISR recommendations that do not require legislation, including recommendation 6.5.

Found: : Lord Beith Lord Bellamy Lord Burnett of Maldon Lord Cryer Lord Griffiths of Burry Port Baroness Hamwee

Found: Members present Lord Alton of Liverpool, in the Chair  Baroness Chakrabarti  Tom Gordon Baroness Hamwee

Found: Baroness Garden of Frognal Baroness Hamwee

Found: Lord Beith Lord Bellamy Lord Bichard Lord Burnett of Maldon Lord Griffiths of Burry Port Baroness Hamwee

Found: Lord Beith; Lord Bellamy; Lord Burnett of Maldon; Lord Cryer; Lord Griffiths of Burry Port; Baroness Hamwee

Found: Lord Beith; Lord Bellamy; Lord Burnett of Maldon; Lord Cryer; Lord Griffiths of Burry Port; Baroness Hamwee

Found: Lords Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench; Life peer) Baroness Chakrabarti (Labour; Life peer) Baroness Hamwee

Found: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench; Life peer) (Chair) Baroness Chakrabarti (Labour; Life peer) Baroness Hamwee