Eligibility for statutory homelessness assistance from housing authorities is determined by immigration status. In general, an applicant who is a person from abroad with a no recourse to public funds (NRPF) condition will not be eligible for assistance. Guidance on eligibility for homelessness services is set out in Chapter 7 of the Homelessness Code of Guidance Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities - Download this guidance - Guidance - GOV.UK.

No final decision has been made as to whether to use MOD Barnham for asylum accommodation.

Large sites (such as former MOD sites) offer a sustainable solution for housing asylum seekers. Accommodation on former military sites is designed to be largely self-sufficient, with essential services being provided on site to minimise impacts on the local community and upon local services and offer better longer-term value for money. They reduce pressure on communities whilst also giving us greater oversight and control at critical points in the asylum decision making process.

The Home Office routinely undertakes due diligence when considering potential accommodation sites. Suitability assessments are ongoing and will consider a range of factors including safety, security, operational deliverability, planning requirement and the impact on local services and communities.

Throughout the development of potential accommodation sites, information is managed in accordance with normal government requirements, including obligations relating to security, commercial sensitivity, policy development and procurement activity where applicable.

The Home Office has submitted an Urgent Crown Development application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in relation to the proposed use of MOD Barnham for asylum accommodation. Documents may be released in due course as part of that process.

All requests made to the Employer Checking Service (ECS) that could result in a Negative Verification Notice are checked and approved before issue. Where an employer believes that a Negative Verification Notice has been incorrectly issued, they should contact ECS to challenge the decision and a Positive Verification Notice will be issued if appropriate.

The Government has no plans to introduce a separate physical or standalone digital document to evidence section 3C status.

People whose permission is extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 can generally use Home Office online services to evidence their immigration status and associated rights. Where they are unable to do so, employers, landlords and public bodies can use the relevant Home Office checking service to verify their status and rights.

The UK applies the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) Human Rights Guidance to security and justice assistance overseas. Relevant UK assistance in Pakistan is delivered in accordance with the Government's established OSJA processes. OSJA assessments are reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes in the operating context.

The Government keeps all immigration policies, including the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) policy, under review and works closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and local authorities to understand the impacts on local services and public finances.

Through regular engagement with local government, including use of the NRPF Connect service and the Home Office’s NRPF Forum, we monitor trends in support provided to households with NRPF and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and consistency.

We have produced new cross government guidance for local authorities to support a more consistent application of the framework across England.

Any changes to immigration policy are subject to appropriate assessment, including consideration of impacts on local authorities and the effective use of public funds.

The Home Office has recently announced that the procurement process for a Facial Age Estimation (FAE) algorithm has concluded, and a new contract has been awarded to Akhter Computers Ltd, with Cognitec as sub-contractor.  Our current intention is to begin using the technology, which harnesses the power of AI, during initial age decisions at the border, and to provide capabilities to the National Age Assessment Board and Local Authorities to access FAE results.

The Department is planning a series of trials and testing throughout 2026. Subject to the results of the testing, FAE is planned to be implemented from 2027.

Family members joining British citizens are subject to the same Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) framework as other migrants granted time-limited immigration permission. Liability for the IHS is determined by the immigration status of the applicant, not that of their UK-based sponsor. British citizens and those granted indefinite leave to remain are not subject to immigration control and are therefore not required to pay the IHS.

Family members joining British citizens or other settled persons apply in their own right under the family immigration routes and are not treated as having made a dependant visa application for immigration purposes. Where an individual qualifies for an occupational exemption (Health and Care Visa) in their own right, they may apply on that route and they and their dependants can benefit from the associated visa arrangements, including exemption from the IHS.

The Government keeps the IHS framework under review. In due course, the Government will set out a new family migration policy covering those seeking to bring family members to the UK, including British citizens, settled persons, work route migrants and refugees.

Family members joining British citizens are subject to the same Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) framework as other migrants granted time-limited immigration permission. Liability for the IHS is determined by the immigration status of the applicant, not that of their UK-based sponsor. Those who cannot afford the IHS may be eligible for a fee waiver on qualifying family and human rights routes.

The IHS is a statutory immigration charge with a different legal basis and purpose from Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions. While taxes and National Insurance support a wide range of public services and benefits, the IHS is a contribution towards NHS services available during a temporary period of immigration permission. Applications for indefinite leave to remain are exempt from the IHS.

The Health and Care Visa exemption, and the separate DHSC Health and Care reimbursement scheme, support specific health and social care workforce objectives and operate independently of the family immigration routes.

The DHSC Health and Care reimbursement scheme is available only to temporary migrants, and their dependants, who remain subject to immigration control. British citizens and those granted indefinite leave to remain are not subject to immigration control and are therefore not required to pay the IHS. Family members joining British citizens or other settled persons are not treated as having made a dependant visa application for immigration purposes.

In due course, the Government will set out a new family migration policy covering those seeking to bring family members to the UK, including British citizens, settled persons, work route migrants and refugees.

The Government keeps the IHS framework under review.

Family members joining British citizens are subject to the same Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) framework as other migrants granted time-limited immigration permission. Liability for the IHS is determined by the immigration status of the applicant, not that of their UK-based sponsor. Those who cannot afford the IHS may be eligible for a fee waiver on qualifying family and human rights routes.

The IHS is a statutory immigration charge with a different legal basis and purpose from Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions. While taxes and National Insurance support a wide range of public services and benefits, the IHS is a contribution towards NHS services available during a temporary period of immigration permission. Applications for indefinite leave to remain are exempt from the IHS.

The Health and Care Visa exemption, and the separate DHSC Health and Care reimbursement scheme, support specific health and social care workforce objectives and operate independently of the family immigration routes.

The DHSC Health and Care reimbursement scheme is available only to temporary migrants, and their dependants, who remain subject to immigration control. British citizens and those granted indefinite leave to remain are not subject to immigration control and are therefore not required to pay the IHS. Family members joining British citizens or other settled persons are not treated as having made a dependant visa application for immigration purposes.

In due course, the Government will set out a new family migration policy covering those seeking to bring family members to the UK, including British citizens, settled persons, work route migrants and refugees.

The Government keeps the IHS framework under review.

The UK is closely monitoring developments regarding reports of violence and intimidation directed at migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa. We are concerned by any incidents of xenophobic violence and welcome the South African Government's public condemnation of attacks on foreign nationals and its commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect all those within its borders. We continue to engage with the South African Government and regional partners regarding these developments, including on public safety and human rights, as appropriate.

The Department is currently considering options on whether Healthy Start will be made available to households subject to no recourse to public funds on a permanent basis, and further information will be available in due course.

We do not hold data on the percentage of eligible households who are not currently in receipt of Health Start in the Poplar and Limehouse constituency.

Asylum accommodation is provided under sections 4, 95 and 98 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and is defined by the purpose for which it is provided and its adequacy.

The definition of affordable housing is set out in the glossary of the National Planning Policy Framework and does not include asylum accommodation.