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Written question asked by Kim Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 10 October 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 October 2024. It was answered by Seema Malhotra (Labour) on Monday, 21 October 2024 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration: Applications

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to minimise unnecessary data (a) collection and (b) sharing through Equifax during the fee waiver application process.

Answer

The Home Office have had contracts to enable financial checking since at least 2014 and therefore financial checks may have been used as part of fee waiver considerations from this date.

As outlined in the Fee Waiver guidance, checks may be undertaken with agencies such as HM Revenue & Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions and credit checking agencies (for example Equifax or Experian) to verify information provided by the applicant with regard to their income and finances.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applications-for-a-fee-waiver-and-refunds

The declaration that is completed by customers as part of their application outlines the fact that such checks are undertaken. Decision makers will also gain written consent from individuals for checks to be undertaken where we do not already hold it.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
8483
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Disclosure of information Applications Credit rating Immigration Equifax
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk