I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 June 2025 in response to Question 59410.

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 11 September to Question HL3403.

“In the Restoring Order and Control statement, the Home Secretary announced the development of new safe and legal routes to enable communities, universities and employers to identify refugees to sponsor.These routes offer an alternative to dangerous journeys for refugees genuinely fleeing war and persecution.

As announced on 27 June, the refugee study and named sponsorship routes will open to applications from prospective lead sponsors in the autumn, with arrivals expected from autumn 2027 onwards. The refugee work route is expected to open next year.

Work is underway to deliver the new routes, and the Government will set out further details in due course."

UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh was £36.6 million in 2021-22, £20.2 million in 2022-23 and £22.8 million in 2023-24, £43 million in 2024-25 and £36.59 million in 2025-26.

For 2026-27, £18.15 million has been allocated for the response. £6.3 million has been disbursed to date, and 15 per cent of the funding is being held in reserve in line with central guidance. £19 million has been confirmed annually until FY 2028/29.

For detail on future funding, including in Bangladesh, I refer the Noble Lord to statement HLWS292 (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-07-16/hlws292) made by the Minister of State for International Development and Africa on the 16 July 2026 (The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's planned ODA programme country and regional allocations 2026/27 - 2028/29). As noted in the statement, we will retain a significant humanitarian spend that will focus on alleviating the Rohingya crisis.

In the Restoring Order and Control statement, the Home Secretary announced the development of new safe and legal routes to enable communities, universities and employers to identify refugees to sponsor. These routes offer an alternative to dangerous journeys for refugees genuinely fleeing war and persecution.

As announced on 27 June, the refugee study and named sponsorship routes will open to applications from prospective lead sponsors in the autumn, with arrivals expected from autumn 2027 onwards. The refugee work route is expected to open next year.

Work is underway to deliver the new routes, and the Government will set out further details in due course.

Given the immediate pressures that result from family reunion, we suspended the Refugee Family Reunion route to new applications on 4 September 2025. This was a difficult but necessary decision.

During the suspension, the Government is taking forward wider asylum and family migration reforms to place the system on a fair, controlled and sustainable footing, as set out in the Immigration White Paper and the Restoring Order and Control statement. Details of forthcoming changes will be set out in due course.

Impacts of the suspension continue to be monitored, with equality impacts considered throughout the policy development process.

During the suspension, other family routes, including Appendix FM, are available to family members of those with protection status, if they meet the relevant requirements.

Given the immediate pressures that result from family reunion, we suspended the Refugee Family Reunion route to new applications on 4 September 2025. This was a difficult but necessary decision.

During the suspension, the Government is taking forward wider asylum and family migration reforms to place the system on a fair, controlled and sustainable footing, as set out in the Immigration White Paper and the Restoring Order and Control statement. Details of forthcoming changes will be set out in due course.

Impacts of the suspension continue to be monitored, with equality impacts considered throughout the policy development process.

During the suspension, other family routes, including Appendix FM, are available to family members of those with protection status, if they meet the relevant requirements.

The November 2025 Asylum Policy Statement set out plans to restore order and increase public confidence in the integrity of the asylum system. The reforms aim to balance increased control over those entering the UK by irregular means with successful integration for those granted protection, enabling people to contribute positively to society. Integration brings significant benefits for individuals, taxpayers, and communities.

Under Core Protection, protection will be granted for the duration of need, lasting only until a refugee can safely return home. We have started to implement these changes. Adults and accompanied children claiming asylum from 2 March 2026 will receive a 30-month period of protection, if granted. This change marks the start of introducing a new regime for those seeking protection in the UK.

Individuals will need to apply to renew their status every 30 months. Before their permission to stay expires, an individual must lodge the relevant application to renew their permission to stay under the Immigration Rules in place at the relevant time to continue to receive their associated entitlements of right to work and access to public funds. The HO will also assess whether an individual’s protection needs are ongoing for example, if there has been a significant and durable change in the country situation. At a 30-month review, refugees with a continuing need of sanctuary will have their protection renewed, while those who no longer have a protection need will be expected to return home.

The approach to reviewing status will be efficient and targeted; we will reassess where country conditions or personal circumstances have changed significantly. We will build on the efficiencies that have already seen record levels of initial decisions being made. We will continue to monitor staffing levels and will deploy our workforce flexibly subject to business needs as we have done in the past.

We do not want people to remain on Core Protection for the long term, and only those who do remain on Core Protection will have their protection needs regularly reviewed. We will encourage refugees to switch out of the Core Protection route wherever possible into the new, Protection, Work and Study route, as part of the “core protection model”.

This new route will be created as an alternative to Core Protection for those who can contribute through work or study - directing people back into a controlled migration system, that they have otherwise stepped around. This is fairer and will contribute to better social cohesion. We want to encourage as many refugees as possible to switch from Core Protection into this new Protection, Work and Study route. That is why there is no limit to the number of refugees who can switch into this route and unlock additional entitlements, such as a shorter route to settlement and ability to sponsor family members, and to integrate more fully into the communities providing them sanctuary.

Those on the Protection, Work and Study Route will not undergo a safe, return review every 30 months as under Core Protection, provided that they continue in employment or education and successfully renew their leave on that basis. We will set out the rules of these routes in due course.

The Home Office is committed to changing the way we deliver our protection offer. We will continue to monitor the impact of this policy as it is developed and implemented. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to impact assessments which will include considering the impact on integration and ensuring value for money. Equalities considerations are at the front and centre of our work. As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, Home Office officials consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process, and the impact that asylum reforms will have on those with protected characteristics, is no exception.

The asylum and protection measures in the Bill, are just one aspect of wider reforms to transform the asylum system. The impact assessment will be completed once the whole model is fully designed. We are committed to ensuring that proposals are considered carefully, so that they support creation of a system which is both fair and sustainable.

Further details will be set out in future Immigration Rules changes.

The November 2025 Asylum Policy Statement set out plans to restore order and increase public confidence in the integrity of the asylum system. The reforms aim to balance increased control over those entering the UK by irregular means with successful integration for those granted protection, enabling people to contribute positively to society. Integration brings significant benefits for individuals, taxpayers, and communities.

Under Core Protection, protection will be granted for the duration of need, lasting only until a refugee can safely return home. We have started to implement these changes. Adults and accompanied children claiming asylum from 2 March 2026 will receive a 30-month period of protection, if granted. This change marks the start of introducing a new regime for those seeking protection in the UK.

Individuals will need to apply to renew their status every 30 months. Before their permission to stay expires, an individual must lodge the relevant application to renew their permission to stay under the Immigration Rules in place at the relevant time to continue to receive their associated entitlements of right to work and access to public funds. The HO will also assess whether an individual’s protection needs are ongoing for example, if there has been a significant and durable change in the country situation. At a 30-month review, refugees with a continuing need of sanctuary will have their protection renewed, while those who no longer have a protection need will be expected to return home.

The approach to reviewing status will be efficient and targeted; we will reassess where country conditions or personal circumstances have changed significantly. We will build on the efficiencies that have already seen record levels of initial decisions being made. We will continue to monitor staffing levels and will deploy our workforce flexibly subject to business needs as we have done in the past.

We do not want people to remain on Core Protection for the long term, and only those who do remain on Core Protection will have their protection needs regularly reviewed. We will encourage refugees to switch out of the Core Protection route wherever possible into the new, Protection, Work and Study route, as part of the “core protection model”.

This new route will be created as an alternative to Core Protection for those who can contribute through work or study - directing people back into a controlled migration system, that they have otherwise stepped around. This is fairer and will contribute to better social cohesion. We want to encourage as many refugees as possible to switch from Core Protection into this new Protection, Work and Study route. That is why there is no limit to the number of refugees who can switch into this route and unlock additional entitlements, such as a shorter route to settlement and ability to sponsor family members, and to integrate more fully into the communities providing them sanctuary.

Those on the Protection, Work and Study Route will not undergo a safe, return review every 30 months as under Core Protection, provided that they continue in employment or education and successfully renew their leave on that basis. We will set out the rules of these routes in due course.

The Home Office is committed to changing the way we deliver our protection offer. We will continue to monitor the impact of this policy as it is developed and implemented. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to impact assessments which will include considering the impact on integration and ensuring value for money. Equalities considerations are at the front and centre of our work. As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, Home Office officials consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process, and the impact that asylum reforms will have on those with protected characteristics, is no exception.

The asylum and protection measures in the Bill, are just one aspect of wider reforms to transform the asylum system. The impact assessment will be completed once the whole model is fully designed. We are committed to ensuring that proposals are considered carefully, so that they support creation of a system which is both fair and sustainable.

Further details will be set out in future Immigration Rules changes.

The November 2025 Asylum Policy Statement set out plans to restore order and increase public confidence in the integrity of the asylum system. The reforms aim to balance increased control over those entering the UK by irregular means with successful integration for those granted protection, enabling people to contribute positively to society. Integration brings significant benefits for individuals, taxpayers, and communities.

Under Core Protection, protection will be granted for the duration of need, lasting only until a refugee can safely return home. We have started to implement these changes. Adults and accompanied children claiming asylum from 2 March 2026 will receive a 30-month period of protection, if granted. This change marks the start of introducing a new regime for those seeking protection in the UK.

Individuals will need to apply to renew their status every 30 months. Before their permission to stay expires, an individual must lodge the relevant application to renew their permission to stay under the Immigration Rules in place at the relevant time to continue to receive their associated entitlements of right to work and access to public funds. The HO will also assess whether an individual’s protection needs are ongoing for example, if there has been a significant and durable change in the country situation. At a 30-month review, refugees with a continuing need of sanctuary will have their protection renewed, while those who no longer have a protection need will be expected to return home.

The approach to reviewing status will be efficient and targeted; we will reassess where country conditions or personal circumstances have changed significantly. We will build on the efficiencies that have already seen record levels of initial decisions being made. We will continue to monitor staffing levels and will deploy our workforce flexibly subject to business needs as we have done in the past.

We do not want people to remain on Core Protection for the long term, and only those who do remain on Core Protection will have their protection needs regularly reviewed. We will encourage refugees to switch out of the Core Protection route wherever possible into the new, Protection, Work and Study route, as part of the “core protection model”.

This new route will be created as an alternative to Core Protection for those who can contribute through work or study - directing people back into a controlled migration system, that they have otherwise stepped around. This is fairer and will contribute to better social cohesion. We want to encourage as many refugees as possible to switch from Core Protection into this new Protection, Work and Study route. That is why there is no limit to the number of refugees who can switch into this route and unlock additional entitlements, such as a shorter route to settlement and ability to sponsor family members, and to integrate more fully into the communities providing them sanctuary.

Those on the Protection, Work and Study Route will not undergo a safe, return review every 30 months as under Core Protection, provided that they continue in employment or education and successfully renew their leave on that basis. We will set out the rules of these routes in due course.

The Home Office is committed to changing the way we deliver our protection offer. We will continue to monitor the impact of this policy as it is developed and implemented. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to impact assessments which will include considering the impact on integration and ensuring value for money. Equalities considerations are at the front and centre of our work. As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, Home Office officials consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process, and the impact that asylum reforms will have on those with protected characteristics, is no exception.

The asylum and protection measures in the Bill, are just one aspect of wider reforms to transform the asylum system. The impact assessment will be completed once the whole model is fully designed. We are committed to ensuring that proposals are considered carefully, so that they support creation of a system which is both fair and sustainable.

Further details will be set out in future Immigration Rules changes.

The November 2025 Asylum Policy Statement set out plans to restore order and increase public confidence in the integrity of the asylum system. The reforms aim to balance increased control over those entering the UK by irregular means with successful integration for those granted protection, enabling people to contribute positively to society. Integration brings significant benefits for individuals, taxpayers, and communities.

Under Core Protection, protection will be granted for the duration of need, lasting only until a refugee can safely return home. We have started to implement these changes. Adults and accompanied children claiming asylum from 2 March 2026 will receive a 30-month period of protection, if granted. This change marks the start of introducing a new regime for those seeking protection in the UK.

Individuals will need to apply to renew their status every 30 months. Before their permission to stay expires, an individual must lodge the relevant application to renew their permission to stay under the Immigration Rules in place at the relevant time to continue to receive their associated entitlements of right to work and access to public funds. The HO will also assess whether an individual’s protection needs are ongoing for example, if there has been a significant and durable change in the country situation. At a 30-month review, refugees with a continuing need of sanctuary will have their protection renewed, while those who no longer have a protection need will be expected to return home.

The approach to reviewing status will be efficient and targeted; we will reassess where country conditions or personal circumstances have changed significantly. We will build on the efficiencies that have already seen record levels of initial decisions being made. We will continue to monitor staffing levels and will deploy our workforce flexibly subject to business needs as we have done in the past.

We do not want people to remain on Core Protection for the long term, and only those who do remain on Core Protection will have their protection needs regularly reviewed. We will encourage refugees to switch out of the Core Protection route wherever possible into the new, Protection, Work and Study route, as part of the “core protection model”.

This new route will be created as an alternative to Core Protection for those who can contribute through work or study - directing people back into a controlled migration system, that they have otherwise stepped around. This is fairer and will contribute to better social cohesion. We want to encourage as many refugees as possible to switch from Core Protection into this new Protection, Work and Study route. That is why there is no limit to the number of refugees who can switch into this route and unlock additional entitlements, such as a shorter route to settlement and ability to sponsor family members, and to integrate more fully into the communities providing them sanctuary.

Those on the Protection, Work and Study Route will not undergo a safe, return review every 30 months as under Core Protection, provided that they continue in employment or education and successfully renew their leave on that basis. We will set out the rules of these routes in due course.

The Home Office is committed to changing the way we deliver our protection offer. We will continue to monitor the impact of this policy as it is developed and implemented. As with all significant policy changes, the proposals will be subject to impact assessments which will include considering the impact on integration and ensuring value for money. Equalities considerations are at the front and centre of our work. As required through the Public Sector Equality Duty, Home Office officials consider equality impacts throughout the policy development process, and the impact that asylum reforms will have on those with protected characteristics, is no exception.

The asylum and protection measures in the Bill, are just one aspect of wider reforms to transform the asylum system. The impact assessment will be completed once the whole model is fully designed. We are committed to ensuring that proposals are considered carefully, so that they support creation of a system which is both fair and sustainable.

Further details will be set out in future Immigration Rules changes.

We continue to work closely with local authorities to improve housing outcomes for newly recognised refugees leaving asylum accommodation.

In March this year, the Home Office decided to set the notice period for all individuals granted leave exiting the asylum accommodation estate to 42 days, following an extensive 56-day pilot and evaluation. In reaching the decision, we considered a wide range of evidence, including key findings from the evaluation of the 56-day pilot. The full evaluation can be found on gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-initiatives-to-enhance-the-move-on-process/evaluation-of-the-initiatives-to-enhance-the-move-on-process.

It is important that individuals initiate plans to move on from asylum support as soon as they are served their asylum decision in order to maximise the time they have to make move on arrangements, regardless of when their eVisa (which replaced biometric residence permits in for newly recognised refugees leaving asylum accommodation in 2024) is issued. Support is available to all individuals through Migrant Help in order to do this, which includes advice on how to access Universal Credit, the labour market and where to get assistance with housing.

The Home Office publishes the number of asylum claims raised by nationality, and the number of people claiming asylum by prior route, by nationality in the Asy_D01 and Asy_D01a tables available here: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK

Asylum seekers arrive in the UK through a range of routes before claiming asylum. In the year ending June 2026, 41% had previously entered on a visa or other leave, 40% arrived by small boat, 12% arrived via other illegal entry routes, and 8% entered via other routes or could not be matched to a route of entry.

Information on countries asylum seekers travelled from before reaching the UK this information is not published. It is held as “free text” on individual case files and can only be extracted manually at disproportionate cost.

The number of people claiming asylum in the previous three years, and to date in the current year is shown below:

Source: Asy_D01 Asylum claims raised, by nationality, age, sex, UASC, applicant type, and location of claim.

We have worked, and continue to work, with colleagues at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), including through ongoing cross-government discussions, to understand rough sleeping and homelessness pressures within local authorities in England. We are also working closely with MHCLG on the government’s National Plan to End Homelessness strategy and as part of this work we have committed to ensuring councils receive information from asylum accommodation providers for 100% of newly granted refugees at risk of homelessness within two days of an asylum discontinuation of support notification.

Following a time-limited pilot, the Home Office has introduced a 42-day end-of-support policy for newly granted refugees, providing additional time to support a successful move from asylum accommodation. Newly granted refugees can access Positive Move On advice from Migrant Help on accommodation, finances, benefits and employment. In selected areas, Asylum Move On Liaison Officers provide additional support to help support newly granted asylum seekers to successfully move on from asylum accommodation and access relevant services.