Question
Will the Home Secretary set out what internal changes she will make in the Home Office? One complaint I often get from people waiting for their ILR decision is about the length of time it takes to get that outcome from the point of application. As part of this new package to improve the system, what will happen to reduce the waiting time for applicants?
Answer
We have already made significant progress in improving Home Office processes, as evidenced by the fact that the backlog for initial decisions after an asylum application has decreased considerably. Since this Government have been in power, we have got removals up to over 80,000, alongside many other changes. Let me assure my hon. Friend that as these changes are rolled out—they will be rolled out over a period of time, so that the systems are ready for each of the changes as they are made—I will ensure that the Home Office is equipped to make timely decisions under the new rules.17% vibes
Verdict: RED (20/100)
The reply only partly addressed the question. It pointed to past progress and a phased rollout but did not name a concrete internal change the department will make. On waiting times for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), it cited asylum initial-decision figures, which concern a different group, and offered only a general commitment to timely decisions with no mechanism. The asker would most likely need to submit a follow-up for specific, committed information.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Home Secretary set out what internal changes the Home Office will make as part of its package to improve the system? | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply refers to past progress in Home Office processes, unspecified 'other changes', a phased rollout, and a general assurance about being equipped for timely decisions, but it never names a concrete internal change the department will make as part of its improvement package. |
| What is the department doing to reduce the waiting time for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applicants between application and decision? | Partially Addressed | Hedged MISREADS QUESTION | The only concrete decision-timeliness evidence given concerns the initial decision backlog for asylum applications, not ILR applicants, and the statement on making timely decisions under new rules is a general commitment with no named mechanism for reducing ILR waiting times. |