Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish an equality impact assessment on her Department's policy on charges and fees.

The Home Office sets visa, immigration and citizenship fees at a level that helps provide the resources necessary to operate the Border, Immigration and Citizenship (BIC) system, it is not direct it is collective.

As we set out in response to a recent report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, the Department recognises that it is important to take account of any impact on equality and diversity, particularly any social and welfare impacts on children, families and vulnerable persons, when considering changes to fees levels. We will consider publication of fee-related Policy Equality Statements on a case by case basis going forward.