Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her department is taking to reduce the waiting times for visa administrative reviews.

Answered by Mike Tapp

Applications for administrative review have increased and intake has doubled within the last five years. Resource for the Administrative Review Unit is now more than double the equivalent 2021 staffing levels in response to this continuing high demand.

Administrative Review are continuing to take steps to improve the time taken to reach a decision and resourcing planning is continuing alongside reforms to front-end processes, case management and data systems. These measures which are already underway will restore the system to its original purpose as a fast, effective remedy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to update the content of the Life in the UK test;; and when she expects a revised version to be introduced.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The Government considers that everyone seeking to make a permanent home in the UK should be equipped to integrate successfully in UK society, with an appropriate level of English and an understanding of life in the UK.

Applicants for settlement and citizenship are required to pass the Life in the UK test. The aim of the test is to ensure that those who intend to settle in the UK have an understanding of life here and society’s expectations.

The Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper, published on 12 May 2025, sets out the government's plans to create an immigration system which promotes growth but is controlled and managed. This includes proposed plans to conduct a refresh of the Life in the UK test and how it operates.

We are reviewing the test and will update it so that it better reflects the knowledge people need to live, work and take part in everyday life in the UK today. Our aim is to make the test clearer and more relevant.

The current Life in the UK contract expires in 2027. We will announce any changes in due course, ensuring transitional arrangements are in place so that applicants have sufficient notice.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the current Life in the UK test.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The Government considers that everyone seeking to make a permanent home in the UK should be equipped to integrate successfully in UK society, with an appropriate level of English and an understanding of life in the UK.

Applicants for settlement and citizenship are required to pass the Life in the UK test. The aim of the test is to ensure that those who intend to settle in the UK have an understanding of life here and society’s expectations.

The Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper, published on 12 May 2025, sets out the government's plans to create an immigration system which promotes growth but is controlled and managed. This includes proposed plans to conduct a refresh of the Life in the UK test and how it operates.

We are reviewing the test and will update it so that it better reflects the knowledge people need to live, work and take part in everyday life in the UK today. Our aim is to make the test clearer and more relevant.

The current Life in the UK contract expires in 2027. We will announce any changes in due course, ensuring transitional arrangements are in place so that applicants have sufficient notice.

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Found: Letter dated 07/07/2026 from Chris Bryant MP to Lisa Smart MP regarding questions raised following at