Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total full-time equivalent headcount of civil servants employed in (a) UK Visas and Immigration, (b) Asylum Casework, and (c) Immigration Enforcement was in each financial year from 2015-16 to 2025–26.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office has published the average number of full-time equivalent staff employed in UK Visas and Immigration, and Immigration Enforcement in each financial year from 2015-16 to 2025–26 in its Annual Report and Accounts, available at: Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK
The Home Office publishes information on asylum caseworking staff in the Migration Transparency Data, under Immigration and protection data: April to June 2026.
Table ASY_05(M) contains a monthly breakdown of full-time equivalent (FTE) asylum caseworker data from January 2020 onwards.
Table ASY_04 contains asylum staffing and productivity data for each financial year from 2011/12 onwards.
At the end of June 2026, there were 1,935 FTE asylum caseworkers in the Home Office.
These figures relate to staff responsible for interviewing and deciding asylum claims and do not represent the total Asylum Casework workforce.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the number of unprocessed initial asylum applications was as of 1 July 2024.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’ and in the ‘Migration transparency data’.
Data on asylum claims awaiting an initial decision at the end of each quarter is published in table Asy_D03 of the ‘Asylum claims and initial decisions datasets’.
Data on the number of asylum caseworking staff per month from 2020 onwards is published in table ASY_05(M) of the ‘Immigration and Protection data’.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the longest processing time for an asylum claim in the last five years.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the 'Immigration System Statistics' and the ‘Migration Transparency Data’ releases.
Data on the number of asylum claims awaiting an initial decision by duration is published in table Asy_D03 of the ‘Asylum claims and decisions detailed datasets’ and data on the percentage of applications processed within 6 months is published in table ASY_01 of the ‘Immigration and Protection data’. For further information on the data, see the notes pages of the tables. As at 30 June 2026, 11,014 people had been awaiting an initial decision for over a year.
Data on longest processing times is not published. Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data.
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her department will list the waiting times for asylum decisions to be made, from longest to shortest, in the past two years.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the 'Immigration System Statistics' and the ‘Migration Transparency Data’ releases.
Data on the number of asylum claims awaiting an initial decision by duration is published in table Asy_D03 of the ‘Asylum claims and decisions detailed datasets’ and data on the percentage of applications processed within 6 months is published in table ASY_01 of the ‘Immigration and Protection data’. For further information on the data, see the notes pages of the tables.
Data on waiting times from longest to shortest is not published. Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department provides to the government of Eritrea before the return of an individual, including information about criminal convictions, outstanding custodial sentences and the legal basis for removal.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government does not accept the assertions made by the Government of the State of Eritrea in response to the imposition of visa measures following its withdrawal of returns cooperation. A Home Office spokesperson has publicly refuted a number of inaccurate assertions made by the Eritrean Embassy.
The United Kingdom has made extensive efforts to engage with Eritrean counterparts and has repeatedly offered discussions through diplomatic channels. The UK's offer to engage constructively on returns cooperation with the Government of the State of Eritrea remains open.
The UK has processed visas and digital records of exemptions for Eritrean officials and Ministers where these have been requested, including since 2023. Broader information relating to visa applications and outcomes is published through the Immigration System Statistics.
The Home Office considers all claims admitted to the asylum system on their individual merits, taking account of all available evidence. Checks are routinely made against UK databases and in some instances, data is shared with other partner countries. Where there are specific reasons to doubt a claimant's nationality or place of origin, a range of further checks and investigative measures may be used. These matters are explored during the asylum interview through robust questioning, which will be tailored, where possible, to the person’s claimed background and particular place or origin. Language analysis may also assist in resolving questions of a person’s place of origin and therefore inform the asylum decision.
The Government takes abuse of the asylum system seriously. Where evidence indicates that an individual has sought to obtain an immigration advantage through deception, and they are not in need of international protection, the Home Office will consider enforcement action, including the revocation of any leave obtained through deception and removal from the UK where appropriate.
The Government of the State of Eritrea receives the same standard information in support of returns processes as the vast majority of international partners, consistent with UK law and operational requirements. The UK has made formal offers of engagement, including through official travel to Asmara in order to discuss any concerns regarding returns procedures and wider returns cooperation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what records her Department holds of requests made by the government of Eritrea for discussions on the return of its nationals during each of the last five years; and how many such requests resulted in substantive meetings.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government does not accept the assertions made by the Government of the State of Eritrea in response to the imposition of visa measures following its withdrawal of returns cooperation. A Home Office spokesperson has publicly refuted a number of inaccurate assertions made by the Eritrean Embassy.
The United Kingdom has made extensive efforts to engage with Eritrean counterparts and has repeatedly offered discussions through diplomatic channels. The UK's offer to engage constructively on returns cooperation with the Government of the State of Eritrea remains open.
The UK has processed visas and digital records of exemptions for Eritrean officials and Ministers where these have been requested, including since 2023. Broader information relating to visa applications and outcomes is published through the Immigration System Statistics.
The Home Office considers all claims admitted to the asylum system on their individual merits, taking account of all available evidence. Checks are routinely made against UK databases and in some instances, data is shared with other partner countries. Where there are specific reasons to doubt a claimant's nationality or place of origin, a range of further checks and investigative measures may be used. These matters are explored during the asylum interview through robust questioning, which will be tailored, where possible, to the person’s claimed background and particular place or origin. Language analysis may also assist in resolving questions of a person’s place of origin and therefore inform the asylum decision.
The Government takes abuse of the asylum system seriously. Where evidence indicates that an individual has sought to obtain an immigration advantage through deception, and they are not in need of international protection, the Home Office will consider enforcement action, including the revocation of any leave obtained through deception and removal from the UK where appropriate.
The Government of the State of Eritrea receives the same standard information in support of returns processes as the vast majority of international partners, consistent with UK law and operational requirements. The UK has made formal offers of engagement, including through official travel to Asmara in order to discuss any concerns regarding returns procedures and wider returns cooperation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visa applications from Eritrean government officials were (a) received, (b) granted and (c) refused in each year since 2023.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government does not accept the assertions made by the Government of the State of Eritrea in response to the imposition of visa measures following its withdrawal of returns cooperation. A Home Office spokesperson has publicly refuted a number of inaccurate assertions made by the Eritrean Embassy.
The United Kingdom has made extensive efforts to engage with Eritrean counterparts and has repeatedly offered discussions through diplomatic channels. The UK's offer to engage constructively on returns cooperation with the Government of the State of Eritrea remains open.
The UK has processed visas and digital records of exemptions for Eritrean officials and Ministers where these have been requested, including since 2023. Broader information relating to visa applications and outcomes is published through the Immigration System Statistics.
The Home Office considers all claims admitted to the asylum system on their individual merits, taking account of all available evidence. Checks are routinely made against UK databases and in some instances, data is shared with other partner countries. Where there are specific reasons to doubt a claimant's nationality or place of origin, a range of further checks and investigative measures may be used. These matters are explored during the asylum interview through robust questioning, which will be tailored, where possible, to the person’s claimed background and particular place or origin. Language analysis may also assist in resolving questions of a person’s place of origin and therefore inform the asylum decision.
The Government takes abuse of the asylum system seriously. Where evidence indicates that an individual has sought to obtain an immigration advantage through deception, and they are not in need of international protection, the Home Office will consider enforcement action, including the revocation of any leave obtained through deception and removal from the UK where appropriate.
The Government of the State of Eritrea receives the same standard information in support of returns processes as the vast majority of international partners, consistent with UK law and operational requirements. The UK has made formal offers of engagement, including through official travel to Asmara in order to discuss any concerns regarding returns procedures and wider returns cooperation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Eritrean Embassy in London’s press release dated 15 October 2026, what assessment has been made of the claim by the Embassy of the State of Eritrea that non-Eritrean nationals have claimed asylum in the UK by falsely presenting themselves as Eritrean nationals.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government does not accept the assertions made by the Government of the State of Eritrea in response to the imposition of visa measures following its withdrawal of returns cooperation. A Home Office spokesperson has publicly refuted a number of inaccurate assertions made by the Eritrean Embassy.
The United Kingdom has made extensive efforts to engage with Eritrean counterparts and has repeatedly offered discussions through diplomatic channels. The UK's offer to engage constructively on returns cooperation with the Government of the State of Eritrea remains open.
The UK has processed visas and digital records of exemptions for Eritrean officials and Ministers where these have been requested, including since 2023. Broader information relating to visa applications and outcomes is published through the Immigration System Statistics.
The Home Office considers all claims admitted to the asylum system on their individual merits, taking account of all available evidence. Checks are routinely made against UK databases and in some instances, data is shared with other partner countries. Where there are specific reasons to doubt a claimant's nationality or place of origin, a range of further checks and investigative measures may be used. These matters are explored during the asylum interview through robust questioning, which will be tailored, where possible, to the person’s claimed background and particular place or origin. Language analysis may also assist in resolving questions of a person’s place of origin and therefore inform the asylum decision.
The Government takes abuse of the asylum system seriously. Where evidence indicates that an individual has sought to obtain an immigration advantage through deception, and they are not in need of international protection, the Home Office will consider enforcement action, including the revocation of any leave obtained through deception and removal from the UK where appropriate.
The Government of the State of Eritrea receives the same standard information in support of returns processes as the vast majority of international partners, consistent with UK law and operational requirements. The UK has made formal offers of engagement, including through official travel to Asmara in order to discuss any concerns regarding returns procedures and wider returns cooperation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what response the Department has made to the statement issued by the Embassy of the State of Eritrea on 15 October 2026 concerning cooperation on the enforced return of Eritrean nationals.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government does not accept the assertions made by the Government of the State of Eritrea in response to the imposition of visa measures following its withdrawal of returns cooperation. A Home Office spokesperson has publicly refuted a number of inaccurate assertions made by the Eritrean Embassy.
The United Kingdom has made extensive efforts to engage with Eritrean counterparts and has repeatedly offered discussions through diplomatic channels. The UK's offer to engage constructively on returns cooperation with the Government of the State of Eritrea remains open.
The UK has processed visas and digital records of exemptions for Eritrean officials and Ministers where these have been requested, including since 2023. Broader information relating to visa applications and outcomes is published through the Immigration System Statistics.
The Home Office considers all claims admitted to the asylum system on their individual merits, taking account of all available evidence. Checks are routinely made against UK databases and in some instances, data is shared with other partner countries. Where there are specific reasons to doubt a claimant's nationality or place of origin, a range of further checks and investigative measures may be used. These matters are explored during the asylum interview through robust questioning, which will be tailored, where possible, to the person’s claimed background and particular place or origin. Language analysis may also assist in resolving questions of a person’s place of origin and therefore inform the asylum decision.
The Government takes abuse of the asylum system seriously. Where evidence indicates that an individual has sought to obtain an immigration advantage through deception, and they are not in need of international protection, the Home Office will consider enforcement action, including the revocation of any leave obtained through deception and removal from the UK where appropriate.
The Government of the State of Eritrea receives the same standard information in support of returns processes as the vast majority of international partners, consistent with UK law and operational requirements. The UK has made formal offers of engagement, including through official travel to Asmara in order to discuss any concerns regarding returns procedures and wider returns cooperation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures are used to establish the nationality of asylum applicants who claim to be Eritrean nationals where their identity or nationality cannot initially be verified.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government does not accept the assertions made by the Government of the State of Eritrea in response to the imposition of visa measures following its withdrawal of returns cooperation. A Home Office spokesperson has publicly refuted a number of inaccurate assertions made by the Eritrean Embassy.
The United Kingdom has made extensive efforts to engage with Eritrean counterparts and has repeatedly offered discussions through diplomatic channels. The UK's offer to engage constructively on returns cooperation with the Government of the State of Eritrea remains open.
The UK has processed visas and digital records of exemptions for Eritrean officials and Ministers where these have been requested, including since 2023. Broader information relating to visa applications and outcomes is published through the Immigration System Statistics.
The Home Office considers all claims admitted to the asylum system on their individual merits, taking account of all available evidence. Checks are routinely made against UK databases and in some instances, data is shared with other partner countries. Where there are specific reasons to doubt a claimant's nationality or place of origin, a range of further checks and investigative measures may be used. These matters are explored during the asylum interview through robust questioning, which will be tailored, where possible, to the person’s claimed background and particular place or origin. Language analysis may also assist in resolving questions of a person’s place of origin and therefore inform the asylum decision.
The Government takes abuse of the asylum system seriously. Where evidence indicates that an individual has sought to obtain an immigration advantage through deception, and they are not in need of international protection, the Home Office will consider enforcement action, including the revocation of any leave obtained through deception and removal from the UK where appropriate.
The Government of the State of Eritrea receives the same standard information in support of returns processes as the vast majority of international partners, consistent with UK law and operational requirements. The UK has made formal offers of engagement, including through official travel to Asmara in order to discuss any concerns regarding returns procedures and wider returns cooperation.