Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's definition of a complex case is with regard to immigration cases; and how the decision is taken for a case not to be subject to the timescale of six months for an immigration decision.

The Home Office has clear internal guidance on the management of asylum claims and the factors that can lead to a case being designated as ‘non straight forward’. These cases are proactively managed to ensure barriers are cleared and decisions are made as soon as possible. There are many factors that could lead to a case being designated as ‘non straight forward’ including medical issues with the claimant, non compliance from the claimant that delays case progression and referrals to specialist casework units.

The decision to designate a case as ‘non straight forward’ must be discussed and agreed by an officer at least the grade of a Senior Executive Officer and a case cannot be designated simply because the 6 month target cannot be met. Where a case is designated as ‘non straight forward the claimant will be informed of the delay to the decision.