Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what are the reasons for delays in decisions on ECAA ILR applications.

There has been a higher than forecast intake on the ECAA route over the last twelve months, with applications received currently 65% above forecasted intake. The Home Office allocates resources for case working of immigration applications in line with the forecasted demand.

In addition, applications are routinely accompanied by exceptionally large volumes of supporting evidence which must be reviewed and considered to ensure lawful and robust outcomes are reached.

To address the delays currently being experienced additional resource has been assigned to this area and the Home Office expect to see increasing output and quicker turnarounds throughout the second half of 2026 as that takes effect.