Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
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.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that non-EU citizens with digital-only eVisas, lawfully resident in, and with permission to enter, the UK are recognised as having adequate documentation and are not denied boarding.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office has engaged with international carriers on the use of eVisas through direct communications, carrier forums and awareness sessions, and continues to do so. Carriers can verify a passenger's permission to travel through digital checks against Home Office systems and have access to operational guidance and support.
The UK Carrier Support Hub operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist with status checks where required. eVisa holders are advised to keep their UKVI account up to date and ensure the passport or travel document they intend to use for travel is linked to their account. More than 10 million eVisas have been issued and most people use them with no issues.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government for what reason the testing and analysis of Facial Age Estimation technology did not begin on 2 February as anticipated in the tender for the relevant contract.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Facial Age Estimation (FAE) procurement outcome was delayed due to a testing and evaluation phase taking longer than originally anticipated.
This work has now concluded, and subject to the completion of a mandatory standstill period and contract signature, a formal contract award notice will be issued shortly.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have awarded a contract for facial age estimation technology for assessing the age of asylum seekers; and if so, which company that contract has been awarded to.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Information sought is withheld for reason of commercial sensitivities.
The procurement is now concluded, and we are preparing to inform bidders. A published contract award notice will follow thereafter.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 20 October 2025, what recent progress they have made in the testing of facial age estimation technology for assessing the age of asylum seekers.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
In the Government’s Immigration White Paper, published in May 2025, we committed to strengthening the age assessment process. As set out in the statement on Restoring Order and Control, the Home Office has since commissioned trials to identify the most promising scientific and technological methods. This includes exploring how artificial intelligence technology can improve the process. Early assessment suggests that Facial Age Estimation is effective and could produce workable results much quicker than other potential methods, such as bone X-rays or MRI scans, and at a fraction of the cost.
As part of our testing of Facial Age Estimation, industry algorithms have been used to test its performance against approximately 2.5 million images with a known age across different ethnicities, genders and age ranges. Further tests are planned throughout 2026.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact from the recently-announced package of changes to the Immigration Rules (1) on refugee children who have grown up in the UK, (2) on refugees who have already faced prolonged separation from their families, and (3) for the integration of refugees.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Those who claimed asylum or made further submissions before 2 March 2026, and who are eligible for protection, will receive 5 years’ permission to stay in accordance with the transitional arrangements included in the Immigration Rules laid on 5 March 2026.
Refugees approaching the end of their 5 years’ permission remain eligible to apply under Appendix Settlement Protection.
The family reunion route was suspended to ease the pressures that local authorities and public services have been placed under due to the recent significant increase in people arriving under this route in recent years. Other family routes remain available including Appendix FM, and cases lodged before the suspension continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. During the suspension, we are undertaking a review of the route, along with the wider family rules, to place the system on a more sustainable footing. Further information about forthcoming changes will follow in due course
The Home Office maintains regular engagement with a wide range of stakeholders on asylum and immigration matters, including providing updates on policy developments. As with any change, we recognise that there may be impacts arising from the package of reforms on organisations supporting asylum seekers and refugees. We will maintain our regular engagement and on-going work with, for example, local authorities, Non-Government Organisations and other stakeholders.
Children are not a homogeneous cohort, and careful consideration will be given as to how children will be impacted when policy frameworks are applied in respect of them, in line with Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). We will work with external stakeholders to shape policy development, including elements which will impact children. Whilst the changes take place the Government will continue to protect the welfare and best interests of children, including refugees
This Government is committed to supporting refugees and those granted protection in the UK to fully integrate and contribute to British economy and society, in a way that promotes community cohesion. All refugees and those granted protection in the UK should be able to fully integrate into life here and become self-sufficient, providing for themselves and their families, and contributing to the economy.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the temporary pause on new applications for family reunion will be lifted and new family reunion rules announced.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Those who claimed asylum or made further submissions before 2 March 2026, and who are eligible for protection, will receive 5 years’ permission to stay in accordance with the transitional arrangements included in the Immigration Rules laid on 5 March 2026.
Refugees approaching the end of their 5 years’ permission remain eligible to apply under Appendix Settlement Protection.
The family reunion route was suspended to ease the pressures that local authorities and public services have been placed under due to the recent significant increase in people arriving under this route in recent years. Other family routes remain available including Appendix FM, and cases lodged before the suspension continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. During the suspension, we are undertaking a review of the route, along with the wider family rules, to place the system on a more sustainable footing. Further information about forthcoming changes will follow in due course
The Home Office maintains regular engagement with a wide range of stakeholders on asylum and immigration matters, including providing updates on policy developments. As with any change, we recognise that there may be impacts arising from the package of reforms on organisations supporting asylum seekers and refugees. We will maintain our regular engagement and on-going work with, for example, local authorities, Non-Government Organisations and other stakeholders.
Children are not a homogeneous cohort, and careful consideration will be given as to how children will be impacted when policy frameworks are applied in respect of them, in line with Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). We will work with external stakeholders to shape policy development, including elements which will impact children. Whilst the changes take place the Government will continue to protect the welfare and best interests of children, including refugees
This Government is committed to supporting refugees and those granted protection in the UK to fully integrate and contribute to British economy and society, in a way that promotes community cohesion. All refugees and those granted protection in the UK should be able to fully integrate into life here and become self-sufficient, providing for themselves and their families, and contributing to the economy.
Asked by: Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether refugees who have already been granted status in the UK will remain on a five-year route to settlement, or whether they will be put on a 20-year route along with refugees with core protection.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
Those who claimed asylum or made further submissions before 2 March 2026, and who are eligible for protection, will receive 5 years’ permission to stay in accordance with the transitional arrangements included in the Immigration Rules laid on 5 March 2026.
Refugees approaching the end of their 5 years’ permission remain eligible to apply under Appendix Settlement Protection.
The family reunion route was suspended to ease the pressures that local authorities and public services have been placed under due to the recent significant increase in people arriving under this route in recent years. Other family routes remain available including Appendix FM, and cases lodged before the suspension continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. During the suspension, we are undertaking a review of the route, along with the wider family rules, to place the system on a more sustainable footing. Further information about forthcoming changes will follow in due course
The Home Office maintains regular engagement with a wide range of stakeholders on asylum and immigration matters, including providing updates on policy developments. As with any change, we recognise that there may be impacts arising from the package of reforms on organisations supporting asylum seekers and refugees. We will maintain our regular engagement and on-going work with, for example, local authorities, Non-Government Organisations and other stakeholders.
Children are not a homogeneous cohort, and careful consideration will be given as to how children will be impacted when policy frameworks are applied in respect of them, in line with Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). We will work with external stakeholders to shape policy development, including elements which will impact children. Whilst the changes take place the Government will continue to protect the welfare and best interests of children, including refugees
This Government is committed to supporting refugees and those granted protection in the UK to fully integrate and contribute to British economy and society, in a way that promotes community cohesion. All refugees and those granted protection in the UK should be able to fully integrate into life here and become self-sufficient, providing for themselves and their families, and contributing to the economy.