Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been identified as being unlawfully resident in the UK as a result of status checks undertaken by banks and building societies under the terms of the Immigration Act 2014.

Under the 2014 Immigration Act, banks and building societies are required to conduct an immigration status check against the Home Office disqualified person data before a current account is opened. Where this check confirms the applicant is a disqualified person, the bank or building society is prohibited from opening the account. There is no requirement for banks or building societies to notify the Home Office if they refuse to open an account.