Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the value for money delivered through the 2003 - 2005 redevelopment of 2 Marsham Street.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department has not undertaken a dedicated, standalone assessment of the value for money delivered specifically through the 2003–2005 redevelopment of 2 Marsham Street. However, the National Audit Office reviewed the associated Private Finance Initiative arrangements for the new Home Office headquarters in 2003. The NAO concluded that the Home Office had secured a good price through a well‑run competition, with risks appropriately allocated and favourable financing obtained. The report indicated that the project was expected to deliver value for money, provided the remaining accommodation and property‑related risks were managed effectively.

The Public Accounts Committee’s Eighteenth Report (2003–04) further found that commissioning a new building rather than refurbishing the three former Marsham Towers offered better value for money, avoided the business disruption and costs of temporary accommodation, and supported the consolidation of government estate functions. The Committee noted that the redevelopment contract, valued at £311 million (net present cost), was selected as the most cost‑effective option following full competition.

These independent assessments confirmed that the redevelopment represented value for money for the taxpayer at the point the investment decision was taken. The Treasury has made no subsequent assessment that contradicts these findings.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, published on 28 November 2025, whether accrued lawful residence under Appendix Long Residence will be recognised for those already close to settlement; and what transitional arrangements will apply to long-term residents already on the Long Residence Route who are close to qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. A public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model.

The consultation sought views on whether there should be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement. Transitional arrangements refer to temporary measures or rules put in place to manage the shift from one system, or policy framework, to another. Details of the earned settlement model, including any transitional arrangements for those already in the UK, will now be finalised, following the consultation.

The final model will also be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

Found: Wednesday 23 October 2024 Attendance Dame Meg Hillier, in the Chair Rachel Blake John Glen Lola McEvoy

Found: Room 4A Meeting time 16:30–18:00 Attendees Client Board Programme Board (in attendance) Rachel Blake

Found: HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION Monday 8 December 2025 Present: Rachel Blake, in the Chair

Found: Room 4A Meeting time 16:30–18:00 Attendees Client Board Programme Board (in attendance) Rachel Blake

Found: COMMISSION / MEC Monday 8 December 2025 Present: The Speaker, in the Chair Steve Barclay Rachel Blake

Found: COMMISSION / MEC Monday 12 January 2026 Present: The Speaker, in the Chair Steve Barclay Rachel Blake

Found: Speaker, Chorley) (Chair) Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP (Conservative, North East Cambridgeshire) Rachel Blake

Found: Speaker, Chorley) (Chair) • Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP (Conservative, North East Cambridgeshire) • Rachel Blake

Found: Committee Room 4A Meeting time 16:30–18:00 Attendees Client Board Programme Board (in attendance) Rachel Blake

Found: Room 2A/3A Meeting time 16:30–18:00 Attendees Client Board Programme Board (in attendance) Rachel Blake

Found: Attendees Client Board Programme Board (in attendance) Steve Barclay MP Judith Cummins MP Rachel Blake

Found: Room 4A Meeting time 16:30–18:00 Attendees Client Board Programme Board (in attendance) Rachel Blake

Found: in Darlington to discuss the work of the Treasury, and our former colleague on the Committee, Rachel Blake